Unwelcome from the Heavens (Private, Janis and Wessex)

[Z'kron]

 

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OOC: Continued from http://www.playbypost.com/forums/nexus-...hs-z-kron.html
IC:
"The problem, Janis, with magical transport based around being drawn to beacons is that the navigation system isn't entirely foolproof. Things along the way, that you haven't taken into account, can quite throw you off. On one hand, it's damn inconvenient. But on the other hand-"
A broad, broad smile as the druid dusted himself off, from where he'd been unceremoniously deposited on the ground, the orange glow the was the only residue of his carro-port spell rapidly fading away. His teeth glinted an unnatural white.
"It means when you do go off course, something interesting is almost invariably going on. Very interesting."
The druid looked up at the sky, observing the clouds, the sun and the topography. He whistled. Arium, it would seem. Central arium? He'd flown over this type of terrain before. A fair guess, with the sparse vegetation and standard climate.
"So, let's think through this logically. The transport spell that we were just using operates on the principle of attraction. We select a specific natural substance- a type of carrot imbued heavily with nature-plane essence in this case, envelop ourselves in it, and then have the like substances attract. What would disrupt that?"
The druid's eyes fixed on a bird gusting across the wind, and narrowed slightly. Something slightly odd was going on here. He wasn't sure what, but something was odd. And oddities always piqued his curiosity.
"There has to be an arcane force nearby strong enough to pull us out of our conduit. Which means a significant amount of nature essence. But not normal natural essence, because the spell is finetuned enough to disregard things like enchanted groves and the like. Some sort of essence which is structured differently enough to confuse the spell utterly, and dump us here rather than where we should be. Which means that the magic spell itself it both very finely woven and, quite likely, camoflagued. Or some even more unusual setup, like being woven out of not purely one essence, but multiple essences. Some sort of minor bend in reality."
Z'kron sniffed the air, and waved his arm a little. "I don't sense a heavy concentration of necromancy around. But something does feel a little odd. Not quite where I planned to turn up. But this will do. Come on, Janis. Let's have a gander. And watch the animals round here. They're a little strange."

[Janis Windrough]

Just like that, their surroundings had changed from a very nice Spring day in the Nexus Prime gardens to what Z'kron now assessed as the middle of the Arium wilderness. Janis was puzzled by the choice of location by the man, however it soon became clear that this wasn't exactly what he had intended to do either. Z'kron didn't seem to mind though. In fact, the way he explained it to Janis made the whole thing seem rather intriguing to Janis. So something had sucked them right up out of their transports. Something of some sort of great power. Perhaps this was the "new magic" acting up?

Around Z'kron, Janis found himself in a way he often didn't find himself: at a loss for words. He listened attentively to Z'kron's assessment of the situation and nodded as he worked through the logic that had brought them here and what must have caused it. Janis had had crazy days before but this one was turning into one of the more unexpected of them all. He gave a quick "ok" to the man and started peering around for anything out of place, or out of the ordinary. Something wasn't quite right with the area, that was for sure but Janis had no possible way of putting his finger on it just then. He took Z'kron's advice and started trying to observe any wildlife around and the such.

[Wessex de Evile IV]

A cool breeze flowed over the unlikely pair as they took stock of their surroundings. To the naked eye, the assessment that they were in the wilderness of central Arium was quite on the mark. There were no buildings, people or even roads to intrude here. As far as the eye could see in all directions, it was wild grasslands and the occasional tree or scrub brush, swaying slightly with Carmelya's breath.

And yet, something still was disturbing the wildlife here.

It was not so much a grand disturbance one might have witnessed in awesome power as the great animal stampede but instead a kind of... consternation, perhaps. A mass confusion of sorts. Not madness, nothing as horrible at all, but instead what could be witnessed when a bird careens headfirst into a window, thinking it a clear path.

There was also, to the observer of wildlife, a peculiarity in that there was a gap where no animal life was present. No rabbits, deer, wildcats... not even a gopher or two. To the arcane observer in fact, that region where there was no wildlife was a great, big circle of nothing. It was perfectly sealed and warded against arcane intrusion, as if essence focused towards it simply dropped off into a great, dark well where light was only sucked in, not emitted.

Only physical entry of this zone would do for a closer examination.

[Z'kron]

"So. Something big. Very interesting. I'm getting an odd feeling..."
The druid knelt for a moment, drawing out what appeared to be a small, multi-noded carrot. He whispered quietly to it, his brow knitting in momentary concentration. The hand stroked down its side like a caress.
"If all goes well, this carrot should be able to give us clues as to what types of magic are being used. It adapts to absorb energy from the nearby area to survive; very slowly mind you. Also to deal with potential toxic threats. By observing it, you can find out a fair bit about the environment."
The druid rose to his feet, a trademark grin across his face making his age temporarily harder to discern. His stone-blue eyes glittered in a unnervingly alien fashion. It was moments like these the served, more than anything, the sense of otherness the druid carried around with him; perhaps something that could never be shared. But the moment passed, and the druid seemed almost like a normal elderly sage again; casually inspecting his surroundings.
"So. Circle of powerful ritual magic. Tinge of necromancy. Knocks us out of the sky." The druid shrugged, his face breaking into a genial smile. It was almost as if the druid, somewhere in the back of his mind, had more of an idea of what was happening than he was letting on. Something a little shadowed about the eyes, something from long ago. But that too passed; and when the druid continued, his voice was unshaken and unchanged. "What we waiting for? Time to start moving. And if the carrot starts to die and I don't notice it- well, tell me."
Gesturing to Janis, he pointed his carrot and followed it to the circle- and if he could, into it.

[Janis Windrough]

Janis was in a state of ignorance, whether or not that ignorance was blissful or not could be up for argument but there was definitely ignorance around here. He couldn't particularly sense anything odd going on, but now that it was brought to his attention there did look to be a spot with little to no animal life scurrying around.

It seemed Janis was being outdone by a carrot at the present time in arcanic understanding and general handle on the whole situation. Fortunately for Janis, he felt like this old elf and his enchanted vegetables were to be trusted. Z'kron likely was formulating some sort of hypothesis in his head right now thinking through in a very scientific manner. Not exactly the type of thinking Janis was accustomed to. He was inquisitive and more of the "point me in the direction to help or fight and i'll go" sort of guy but not usually the one formulating this hypothesis.

Janis could only let a sort of forced laugh escape when Z'kron made the comment about the carrot dying. was he joking...how much should I be worrying if that happens? Either way Janis followed the elf and the carrot forward. With eyes fixed on the carrot when he felt like he was getting close to the strange area, he sucked in a breath and plodded on. Would he too be like the bird who crashes into the pain of glass or would something much more interesting await him?

[Wessex de Evile IV]

Entrance into the zone of contention was not at all physically difficult. Both of the arcanists had to fight back a sensation to turn around and go in the other direction, but having identified the nature of the enchantment, they could resist the suggestion.

The world suddenly shifted and blurred for a moment around them and then... it was the same as before.

Except of course, for the gigantic black stone castle on the hill that had appeared in the direction they were headed.

Both of the adventurers were now standing on a path of white, sparkling sand, that wended up the hill and to the castle structure itself. The path ended at the visible gate, a large solid iron sheet with a green leaf design on its surface, the shape and green color so lifelike, so realistic, that it seemed as if a great leaf had been slapped up against the gate.

And behind that gate... an immense surge of Natural Power shone like a beacon.

[Z'kron]

The druid grinned. A whistle through his teeth. "Well then. Your call, Janis. Damn likely to be the thing that threw us offcourse... Do we go in, or do we go in?"
A black castle, hidden in the middle of Arium, he mused to himself. Closing his eyes momentarily, he took careful note of the enchantment designed to keep intruders away. Fascinating, the way that the magics they'd encountered seemed to not be limited by essence boundaries. It felt like old magic. It had been quite a while since his curiosity had been piqued this way.
Reaching to his belt, the druid put one of his many carrots down into the ground.
"Unless there's anything else out here you particularly want to do?"

[Janis Windrough]

As Janis walked forward he suddenly felt like he wanted to leave. It wasn't fear or anything, it just seemed like his mind was saying "go that way." Luckily he just focused on following Z'kron by putting one foot in front of the other and soon the enchantment was no more.

Well maybe the enchantment itself was no more but a bewilderment spell might as well have struck Janis at that very moment. The ground became soft he didn't have to take but two steps to realize he was standing in sand...and that wasn't the weirdest thing. A bloody castle that hadn't been there but 30 seconds ago now stood, giving off nothing but power and shimmer. By the Gods! thought Janis. By the Gods indeed. What was this thing and what in the world was it doing here?

Well there was only one way to answer that questions. After basically picking his JAw up off the ground, Janis turned to Z'kron and smiled. The answer of what to do next was an obvious one. His half smile remained and he turned forward and started to walk without even a word. His choice was made and his expression spoke volumes of the excitement, amusement and curiosity he was feeling at that very moment. There was nothing more for them out here and an adventurer never turns down and opportunity like this.

To the castle they went along the path of sand...

[Wessex de Evile IV]

The pair walked up the sparkling path, the white sand crunching beneath their feet. The emanations of Natural Power grew stronger as the unlikely pair aprooached the gate.

Soon enough, the two were before the great gate. The leaf was beautifully articulated, with veins and stoma clearly visible. A clean breeze, reminiscent of freshly cut grass and cedar wood, gusted about the two, and the breeze intensified as a surge of power coming from the Plane of Nature infused the leaf on the gate.

Awakened by their arrival and drawing substance from their very presence, the leaf suddenly opened two great emerald eyes and a mouth formed, giving a great yawn and showing the steel of the gate behind the maw. Whatever material the leaf had been constructed of originally, it was a construct of Nature now.

"Visitors two, I see," the great voice of the animated leaf boomed in a voice like the crackling of twigs underfoot. "It has been a very long time since any have been admitted to the Citadel through the Gate of Nature... oh my, yes, many many years. Well come then, come through, and welcome to the Menagerie of Nature..."

The animate leaf yawned again and then closed its eyes and returned to its eternal dream. The gate clicked and slowly opened to admit the travelers.

Inside the gate lay the stuff of dreams. A scent of tree bark and flowers wafted out to the travelers, and to those sensitive to such, the power of Nature itself was an almost palpable prescence.

The white sand path continued into the castle's Menagerie, a great green tropical world with bright flowers opening along the path. A quick glance showed that no two plants were the same, each blooming its own special, exotic flower. The scent of the flowers was almost intoxicating, and the raw Natural power here was simply amazing.

[Janis Windrough]

Something was happening the closer the pair got to the castle. Janis felt an uprising of something within him. He couldn't quite place his finger on it but certain feelings and emotions were starting to swell and swirl. Little did he know that this was only a fraction of what he was about to feel.

The power of nature intensified as they approached the gate. Oh, but hey now. This was apparently no ordinary gate, it was in fact...a gate with a talking leaf on it. Ya know, before this day if someone had asked one Janis Windrough if he thought he had seen many a thing in his life, he probably would have responded "yes" but now, he might think twice before answering that question. Being transported via carrot and spoken to by a leaf on a gate could tend to change a person's perception of just what they thought they knew to be "no big deal."

"What the heck is this place?" Janis said to Z'kron as the leaf finished talking and swung open. Although as the last word left Janis's lips it sort of trailed off as he was hit by a combination of power, beauty and awe. Apparently they were welcome here and Janis could think of no better place to be. Surely this is what heaven looks like for druids. Wildflowers grew and darted off in various direction spreading colors Janis had never even imagined across the landscape. The most wonderful smells entered his nostrils and the sensory overload made Janis more relaxed (yet excited) then he had ever been before in his life. What sheer sheer beauty. He was basically drunk with nature after a few moments of gaping.

He looked at Z'kron for what to say and do next. He had managed a few steps into the garden but truly, when one who has loved and built up such a respect for nature sees something like this it can only induce deep emotions. Surely Z'kron must be a bit overwhelmed as well. Janis was sure any druid would be, although he didn't know the past trials and tribulations of this old elf. Perhaps this was nothing compared to somethings he had seen in his life, but for Janis anyway, this was like nothing...nothing he had ever seen before.

"...It's...it's wonderful" was all he could blurt out. He was barely thinking for himself anymore and would merely listen or follow Z'kron in whatever he was about to say or do. The young man needed a moment to recover.

[Z'kron]

"This, Janis... "he paused, thinking of his wording "Is what happens when someone allows a direct interface with the essence plane of nature... what you are seeing is the effect of essence from the plane of nature on the material world, when maintained for eras upon eras."
The druid shook his head, his voice sounding slightly rougher than usual. "I can't think of the power used to create something like this. It's not just magic; it's redefining the rules of arcana. It's not something created by a mortal."
The druid leaned against his staff. He rubbed his hand against his chin, where stubble was starting to grow.
"It's very beautiful. But very dangerous. Nature is often red in tooth and claw...". The old druid smiled, extending his carrot out in front of him. On his shoulder, the druid's sathya flickered. Despite his slight reserve, it was obvious he was not completely unmoved by the sights in front of him. Senses extended, the druid moved along the path; caught between the awe of the situation and the caution developed through years in the wilderness.
"And a world controlled by plants; it's not entirely unlikely animals would be of little more use than mulch."