Holder

Ten miles or so later, Bedlam sets Michael back to the ground. She settles in a near by tree, settling in to catch her breath .... assuming she breathes.

That should give us a good enough lead.

Hope you're arm's alright. Can't be easy being held up for that long.

Maybe we should both get a bit of rest.

Holder

Rest is good looking down at his arm and the new bruises and then looks back up at Bedlam It'll be stiff, but I'll live. then smiles at the gargoyle I'll make sure we live. Any idea how much further to Morgan?

Then remembering the undead he stands watch for approaching critters.

Perception Checks

I think we can make it there by nightfall. A few more hours.

Morgana's mouth drops open. For a moment she stands there... speechless. She blinks her eyes a few times in surprise and then speaks.
I'm sorry... did you say time travel? Time travel? AHHH! I could go home! He could know a way home! I could go home!!!

Morgana/Ralo/Alexander

Yes, I know! How completely absurd! You can't simply send a group of people through the time stream en masse! First you would have to create a temporal worm hole of some sort, which , believe me, is not only incredibly hard, but also incredibly stupid! Then you'd have to create enough power to keep it in state! After all, the only way to bring people forward and back, would be if there was some sort of bubble effect, maintaing the wormhole through it's entire duration!
You would have to sustain the spell from the time you cast it, until what ever point in the timeline you wanted your subjects to end up in. The amount of magical power required for that would be absolutely ludicrous. Why, I don't know if even blood magic, or tieing the pattern of a powerful adept or legendary thread artifact would do it. Simplt preposterous.

Mental Image: Plane plummeting to the ground and crashing.
Of course... a temporal worm hole. Morgana says weakly, clutching at a nearby chair. It's rotted wood gives under her grasp. Looking down in surprise, she wipes the dust from her hands and continues.
Well... Master Athnen, we've come to your Citadel on behalf of the town of Haven. It is rumored a Horror stalks them in shadow. In your research, have you ever heard of anything like this before? The lie rolls off of Morgana's troubadour tongue easily.
... On behalf of... banished from... all the same when you get right down to it...

Well I can't see anyone following us, but lemme know when you're rested up. Thinking I'd better practice my blocking. Heh, major difference between practice partners and things that really are trying to kill me I guess, never teach you that in self-defence.

Strange how you're getting so protective and attached to a free spirit that could snap you like a twig, isn't it?

What? Eh? Want'dya mean? Well maybe.... a little....

Morgana/Ralo.Alexander
I know of no specific horror that has ahunted htis region. But perhaps if you could provide me some more details on the creature

The Elder of my village is acting oddly. I was even falsely imprisoned for a time. While there, I noticed that his shadow - if it can be called that - does not act as a shadow should. It moved independent of the light. Also, though some may think that I am mad; however, I head a shadow speaking to me from the corner of my cell. Does that help?

That does, unfortuantely, sound familiar.

A 'Shadow' is a powerful type of horror construct, made form the torutred soul of one of it's victims. It has the ability to control others. Generally speaking, their only weakness is magic, as it's rather hard to cut a shadow, naturally. They also do ahve the ability to take control of other victims, using their own abilities and memories to spread the horror's influence and soq destruction. if one of them has infiltrated your home, I suggest you do everything in your power to destroy it immediately.

Ralo nods to the words of the old magician. I agree. And if my memories are correct, after the days without sleep and nearly being used as a dog chewing toy, we're here to locate the Horror, aren't we?

Alexander seems to swell. Yes we are. The injustice of it all...

Stay at it boy. There you go now!

Oh I cna assure you young men that there is no horror here. If it's a horror you seek, you could do worst than investigating that kaer. I'd bet my life ... err... well, that is to say that I would bet my life, had I one, that if there is a horror infesting this region, it would be in the middle of that failed experiment, in the sealed section of the kaer. Well, perhaps formerly sealed.

The hounds would certainly be effective against the Shadows. Other constructs however may be a challenge for them, depending on what the twisted creature may have constructed.

Well Master Athnen, then it sounds as if we have no time to lose. Before we leave... is there anything we can do for you? A message to deliver, perhaps? Or ... maybe a relocation of your earthly remains?
Morgana glances sideways at the mouldering skeleton.

Oh my earthly remains are quite content where they are, thank you dear. This is precisely where I would prefer they be.

The only request that I would have is that you yourselves, or someone perhaps that you may find, tend to my hounds and the IronGate Fortress. I would much preferthat my life's works not go to waste. There is muc hhere that I suspect you ahve not yet discovered.

But I wouldn't want to spoil the joy of discovering it for yourselves of course! What joy is there in life if eerything is handed to you?

There is work to be done, boy. Get to it!

Can we take a hound or two from this place to destroy the shadow, Master Athnen?

Then we can go after that damnable horror.

The hounds are no longer mine my boy, though it is gracious of you to ask. Someone did right with you I'd say. The spirit says it with a wink.

Alexander looks over to his companions and says, Shall we be on with this then? I have a date with a certain shadow that needs to be brought to light.

Ralo nods. No suprise. I'll come with you - after all, one has to cover your back.

Master Ralo, I thank you. May Mynbruje smile on us now.

Alexander turns to the image of Master Athnen and says, By you leave good sir.

He then heads back for the entrance.

We will do as you ask, Master Athnen. At least one of us will... I'm not so much with the cold and forbidding fortress look.

Morgana bows with a flourish and then rises with a smile. Once outside, she turns to the others.
Well... that was... odd. Now what?

As everyone finishes their chit chat with the pseudo-specter, it somply fades away.

Out side , the cool night air is giving way to dawn's morning light. The remaining mysteries of the Citadel can wait as there is work to be done in the village below. A Shadow be be brought in to the revealing light of truth, souls to be saved, and a demon to be put down once and for all.

Alexander smiles at his companions for a minute and then heads toward the village. Morgana, can you hold the hound all the way to the village?

I should be able to. The control from the statue doesn't seem to be tied to the Citadel. I guess we'll find out when we leave then, won't we. She says it with a mischeivious smirk.

As the trio heads out of the Citadel, escorted by the small pack of Gate hounds, the see a pair of people walking up to the Citadel. Rather , one is a human man in ill fitting clothing, and the other is a small, windling sized gargoyle.

It's the gargoyle that calls out when they see the group, shouting in a strange language. Morganna looks shocked for a moment, and calls back in the same tongue. The man has a look of relief on his face. The gargoyle... well... it's a gargoyle.

Morgana, do you know these travelers?

She turns to Alexander, looking a little suprised. Ummm yes, well, I know the gargoyle actually The look on her face says that she know how confusing that statement is.

Walking out of the forest and onto the road was refreshing change for Micharl, unfortunately while it was a more familiar setting it was also totally untarmac'd and looked like it belong in the dark ages.

Crappit, maybe this really is the past, a dirt track, ruts.... well could be a developing country, ah well....

And so he continues to follow the directions of his small gargoyle companion as she directs him towards a forbidding looking castle ahead on a hilltop.

------

Seeing a pair of people approaching down the road with a number of very large dogs, Michael gets ready to get back into cover until, that is, he sees Bedlam's reaction ad her call rings out.

Guess she knows them then....

As the woman in the group calls back in English his relief is almost palatable. Guessing these are friends of your's then Bedlam and a smile grows on his face.

The gargoyle nods to him. The girl is called Morgan, or Morganna.
She can teach you the ... techniques you need to cast here. The others I don't know.

Is it just me, or are those dogs looking at me hungrily?

The little gargoyle flies up a little higher.

With a confused look on his face Alexander says, Master Gargolye, I am Alexander, Weaponsmith. These dogs are indeed attracted to those with magical abilities; however, Morgana has control of them.

Seeing the armoured man speaking in a langauge foreign to him, a frown passes over Michael's face.

Oh great, they had to speak a totally different langauge.... Well he did say Alexander.... his name? ah well time to bite the bullet as they say....

In English, and assuming blank expressions Michael will repeat in Spanish, then Russian and finally in despiration Sperethiel
Nice to meet you Alexander, my name is Michael Holder. I believe that you would be Morganna? the last directed towards the female elf.

And keeping a wary eye on the dogs he waits for a response.

The dogs seem to mostly be paying attention to the gargoyle. Finishing off the strange mix, there seems to be a small, one foot tall faerie with the group.

Morganna smiles and responds in Sperethiel.
The dialect here is much different than the sperethiel you may be used to sir. Alexander won't understand you, but I can translate.

My name is Morganna. I am a Wizard and Troubadour, and hail from Seattle. how did you come to be here.

She's smiling up at Bedlam, who is still keeping her distance from the dogs. Remembering her manners, she quickly translates what the 'strange' human said to Alexander and Ralo.

Hmmm, long story but the short version for the road would be I'm from Seattle, I'm a magical researcher for NeoNet specialising in ancient artifacts. I was sent to re-enforce a site in a remote location along with three other researchers and a hired guide. When we got to the site, and the journey is a whole long story on its own so I'll spare you that, I started in as soon as we got there and then things went downhill fast.

At this point his face takes on an almost impassive look as though he's either lecturing or burying feelings deep down to stop they overwhelming him.

My first analysis showed the site to be a large, and very old, power site. Similiar to, but much more powerful, than some site I'd been to in Africa.... Probably a lot less powerful than Crater Lake of course.... not certain though I never got a chance to examine that site.... and his eye refocus back on Morgana Sorry I sometimes tangent a bit, anyway it was about that point that our guide started screaming about demons or horrors or some such and attacked the site's director and the combat mage research who was with us. All three of them just wouldn't listen to reason so I tried to stun them all with a stunball, well that didn't work very well regardless of the power site's mana surge and eventually the fight wound on, painfully, until the guide seemed to call on a guardian spirit or dragon or something.... I must admit that I wasn't entirely concious at that point, I'm not really a combatant.... Well anyway the guide threw a massive, and I mean massive, manaball.... seriously I doubt Dunklezahn could have channelled it, and about that point something strange happened and I seemed to get sucked down.... well a hole I guess, seemed a lot like Astral Gateways that free spirit can form are described. And then I woke up with my gargoyle companion in a cave full of.... and he shudders with the memory Zombies.... Well she guide me out and then we head for here, she seemed to know you where around here....

So where on Earth are we? Amazonia?

What ?....

That sound boy, that is the sound of metal that is cooling to fast. The problem with that is the metal becomes brittle and breaks. Kind of like some people get wound up too tight.

Alexander stares at the man speaking the foreign language and shrugs. He then looks over at Morgana for the explanation.

Morgana steps back, taking in Michael's story.
Oh, great... he's cracked. Or if he hasn't... he's about to.
Exhaling, Morgana cast a look around at her companions. Speaking in Throalic, Morgana relays Michael's story... more or less.
This man's Name is Michael. He has journeyed here through what sounds like a rift or tear in Astral space. Don't look like that... he's not Marked. My Wizard spells allow me to see that much. He's frightened and not sure of where he is. This gargoyle, ummm... small stone-like windling.... she's an old friend of mine. Somehow she fell through the rift with Michael. They are from my homeland. He speaks a dialect that may sound strange to your ears, but I am familiar with his speech patterns. I will be able to translate for us.
From his description, it sounds as if he and and my friend have come across Cadaver Men not far back. We need to move from this location... and quickly.
Turning back to face Bedlam and Michael, Morgana smiles and pauses for a moment, choosing her words carefully.
[In English] Michael, ... err, Mr. Holder, we are not in Amazonia. In fact, we are actually more or less near the Ukraine... however, that's not really the question you should be asking. The question is... WHEN are you. You've been pulled through an astral rift into a different time. The time you know, the time you've left behind is the Sixth Age. This is the Fourth Age. Morgana pauses, debating how to continue before just barreling through. I was pulled through a similar rift. I am from Seattle, as Bedlam said. I was brought here almost 8 years ago. We don't really have time to discuss the intricacies of the situation, but the high notes are: Dragons still rule, the one's you know as Dunklezahn and Ghostwalker are here. They are known as Mountainshadow and Icewing now. Your kind of magic won't work here and if you use it, it will hurt you and possibly kill you. DO NOT USE MAGIC without learning the proper techniques. EVER. You will need to learn the languages here and quickly. At this particular point in time, standing out and seeming a bit strange WILL get you killed. We'll work on that. Morgana smiles helpfully before continuing Oh, and try not to rant. You sound like a crazy person. Not good.... Okay, so any questions before we move along? Really should get out of here before the Cadaver.... I mean, ummm... zombies come along.
Morgana turns to Bedlam and smiles broadly and wraps one hand around the gargoyle, hugging it gently.
I have missed you so much, Bedlam. Seeing you again... Morgana's voice catches. It's almost like... well.... I've missed you.
A single tear drops from Morgana's cheek and she brushes her face against the small fairy-like creature.

The small gargoyle hugs the elf's shoulder back, then flutters over to Holder again. She playfully smacks his shoulder. See, just like I said.

Then everyone hears Bedlam's 'voice' directly in to their minds, perfectly understandable.
Now, we really should get out of her. We have about 20 or so cadaver men about an hour or so behind us.

And before anyone gets jumpy, I'm not a construct or a horror. I'm a spirit, and I have a lot more to fear from a horror than any of you do.

Oh, and Morgan, please keep the dogs away. You know I like puppies but I really don't like the way they're eyeing me.



*Growllll*

Morgana notices the dogs and laughs a little uneasily ...
It's just this thing they have with small, winged creatures.... I'll take care of it.
Morgana pats the dogs head and leads it away, heading in the opposite direction as the Cadaver Men.
[In Throalic] Well, gentlemen, which way?

If this is all over, Morgana will have to answer some questions.

Dear Morgana, you might be trusting your Wizard's spells, but I would feel much more comfortable, if both of these strange people show that they're not marked by making an artisan test. We should take the time.

Smiling back at Morgana, he gives a short bow to her.

So Bedlam tells me.... about the magic that is and I'll try to not tangent.

Upon seeing Morgana start to walk away he moves to follow her, until the faerie speaks in it's tongue and then he stops, quirking an eyebrow as if trying to understand the langauge or maybe just to get a translation.

Master Ralo, on this we agree.

Again Ralo hears thoe voice of the small gargoyle without hearing it.

Ok Mister Faeri, I'll do your test for you. But for the record, you're a foot tall man with bug wings and a heart tattoo. I'm a spirit. Let's try and keep 'strange' in context , m'kay?

Without another word, the small gargoyle holds her hand out above the ground, and a small stone about the size of a human head rises from beneath the soil. The stone's shaped begins to move and melt , as if it's outersurface were a swirling liquid. It begins to taper, most of the ston'es bulk going to it's base, and thinning out, looking like a small tree. The stone continues to reshape it's self, eventually shaping it's self into a rather good likeness of Ralo.

The gargoyle puts it's hands on it's hips, floating in the air without flapping it's wings.

Satisfied?

Fair enough. You sir, what is your skill?

Looking slightly puzzled at the conversation in Throalic Michael looks questioningly at Bedlam

Erm, I hope they don't want me to duplicate that 'cos you've warned me not to do magic.

No he wants you to do something artistic. It's how people here prove they aren't Horrors or their allies.

Ah, okay, hmmm.... not really my forte but I'll give it a go. Anyone got a piece of paper and a pencil?

After Morgana hands him a piece of parchment and a stick of charcoal he stares at the page for a moment before starting to draw.

Artistic? Erm, don't think I can duplicate a painting from memory.... Magic circle designs tend to be functional rather than pretty.... hmmm, the ally formula I was working on? Probably my best bet I guess, at least it's original....

As he draws, replicating the design he had worked many hours on back in his lab a picture slows forms. Lines that seem at first glance to be a mass in the center form a picture in viewer of a female elf, rather than a drawing of one more the essence of one. Around this figure grows a network of mathematical formulae and mystical symbols creating a boarder around the picture and seem to suggest a two-way agreement between the drawer and the figure in the center.

Finishing, a couple of minutes later, and showing it to the others he speaks again

That do you, Mr. Sprite, Mr. Alexander? It's a bit rushed so not my best work. and seeing a slight questioning look from Bedlam he addresses her It's an ally formula I was working on, although I need to quest to find a spirit who would willingly be my ally. Ah well past times now I guess.

Then turns back to the sprite, hman and elf, he wait for an answer.

Rolls

What are you making boy? Hey, that's not bad.

That is sufficient for me.

Bedlam smiles and responds to english to Holder.

So you're making an ally spirit in the form of an elven woman hmmm? She grins and winks

If everyone is satisfied then, Morgan , I'm sorry, Morganna , we need to get Michael some training so that he can protect him self. Can you assist him?

I'm not entirely convinced by your work, little flying whatever-you- wanne-be-called, but I don't think I'm gonna get any better.

While the human is drawing, Ralo flied closer to him and looks over his shoulder. Dog, cat, cow, spirit! He grins when he sees the finished version of the drawing. Good enough for me. By the way, my name's Ralo.

Blushing slightly at Bedlam's comment he sctraches at the back of his head Heh, yes.... well it's a starting point and smiles to her.

Crap.... crap.... did she mean.... Erm, that wasn't the reason was it?.... Seeing the sprite is as inquisitive as they're reported to be.... Would be useful if I knew what it was saying, hmmm better start remembering the words and the reactions to them.... maybe I can start to figure out what they are saying.... eventually....

Seeing the grin as a good sign smiles back.

Ralo? and seeing a slight nod Right Ralo

Odd name.... but then again sprites are rare and rumoured to be almost spirits so I guess it's normal for them.... or here.... ugh, this is gonna take a lot of getting used to.

And he turns his attention back to the various conversations and starts to store away the comments and reactions. His mind starting to work on an analysis of the langauge.

Wait, this guy doesn't speak throalic, does he? Ralo sighs and turns to the elven language before he speaks to the human again. My fault, it seems that you don't speak the most common language here. Sperethiel on the other seems to be familiar to you, so I'm using this. I said: my name's Ralo, what's yours? Actually, Ralo is the short version, but it's enough for you to know. What discipline do you follow, if any?

Still buzzing around Holder's shoulder, the pixie speaks in a very archaic sounding form of Sperethiel. Some root words are understandable, but most of it is simply too different.

Helpfully, Bedlam's voice fills Holder's mind, translating.

I'm mindlinked with Morganna. She speaks this older version of Sperethiel. But at least it;ll give you a common language to work on for communicating.

Thanks Bedlam it'll make things a lot easier, guess the first lesson is langauge.

I hope she can hear that....

Switching to Sprenthiel and trying to phrase his comments as archaically as possible, and hoping his meaning at least gets through he replies to the sprite.

Yes, sprenthiel is better, although it seems I know a different dialect but it should be much easier to adjust than learning your langauge from scratch. It is good to meet you Ralo my name is Micheal Holder, although I generally just go by Michael. What discipline do I follow? Undecided as of yet, but hopefully a wizard as you call it.

I'm sure that's what Bedlam said I was going to train as.... Man I hope he even vaguely understands that or this could be a long trip.

Nice to meet you, Mich. Ralo flies around the human's head, nods and hovers in the air in front of Michaels face. What do you mean, you haven't decided which discipline you want to follow? It's not like you're gonna pick a discipline - a discipline picks you. At least here in Barsaive.