Questers

Your guide nods with a look of relief to the last person to give a secret to the gate. She turns to encourage the last person, Paladin, to do the same when the ground seems to lurch and buckle underneath the entire party. A look of shock comes over Fig as the mild earthquake grips the area. "What in the twelve hells did you bring with you?!"

Arron & Havoc

The area in Everett is a gray bleak land of storage buildings and warehouses. You see little that says nightclub to you. The actual address is a run down warehouse that seems to have one entrance bathed in weak and watery light from a single bare bulb above the door. An ancient looking call box hangs from the side of the door.

"We brought that which we are. The price of his passage" Shiver tilts his head toward Paladin, "through the lands of our Mistress was her kiss and we bring her out to see our own lands again. Otherwise, a hunter seeks us but we are told that he now follows the rules of the realms. All we know definitively is that the hunter could not stand against the eternal rulers of these realms but had the power to injure the dweller within the Gallery."

The black scales of Shiver's flesh gleam in the light of the clearing as he reaches out to steady Moira's step and ensure that his ward was well. He was unsure if Fig's question was answered by what he said or if Paladin had deeper secrets living behind his once pure name.

Aaron slowly cruises around the warehouse address, looking for parked cars, garages, unusual pedestrians, anything that suggested the address given was actually a nightclub of some sort. He carefully looked for any of the security measures he assumed the place had, cameras, sentries anything of the sort.

He recon done he decided a direct approach was the best one in this case. Having no knowledge of the interior of the building meant that planning any kind of covert entry would be guess work at best. Simply walking up to the door had its own series of risks but at least those were relatively straight forward risks which he could anticipate and, hopefully avoid. Besides, he doubted that Blank had set him up for a hit, the fixer knew that word would get around and his business would dry up. It was just a question of whether his business disappeared before or after Aaron's friends found the fixer.

Backing his car into a place near the door he got out and made a show of dusting non-existent lint from his suit. Walking with what he hoped was an air of relaxed confindence he jandered straight up to the door, planning to open it without knocking and step inside immediately to avoid being an easy target. What happened from there depended on what he found inside.

:: Hearing Shiver's words, Moira fears that forgetting her role as vessel may have cost the group dearly. Seeming to sense her anxiety, she welcomes the contact and takes a step closer to and slightly behind the formitable figure of her protector. ::

I got all dressed up for this? Havoc thinks as he cruises up to Extassis on his Honda Viking. His regular bars looked nicer than this place.

He finds a place for the bike and engages its security system before walking away. As he approaches the club's door, he tightens his one and only tie around his neck and gives his suit jacket a wrinkle-flattening tug. It had been a while since he'd worn his nice clothes and he had spent several minutes in front of a mirror making sure that his form-fitting armor wouldn't show through or cause any telltale bulges.

Before taking a final step towards the doorway, Havoc's hand brushed the Colt Manhunter sitting snuggly in its skeleton holster at the small of his back. If Fat Charlie's info was right, he'd have to give it up to gain entrance, but he never went anywhere without a gun.

Pausing before the door, he was caught in indecision. What was the etiquette here? Should he use the call box or just go inside. After a moment he tries the door, intent on heading inside the club.

Questers

Fig flies towards the gates as a sea of shadow and fire seem to spring up all around the area. She screams at the sight of it. "Hurry move through the gate, give it what it wants!" She tugs at Paladin and hits him to get him to move. The orc jogs towards the structure as the sea closes in around you all. He stands looking to the gate as you feel the heat rage against your skin. Sweat begins to drip from your body in sheets, matting your hair to your face. Your guide has moved to hover just inside the arc of the gate. Paladin opens his mouth, you assume to speak his secret, but fire spills from it along with his wordless scream. You watch in horror as he burns from the inside out. The shadows lash forward and begin to strip the skin from his body in long bloody strips. You watch as the storm seems to devour him a bit at a time.

GIVE ME WHAT IS MINE OR I WILL CONSUME YOU ALL.

The voice pierces both mind and body. You feel waves of pain dance along your nerves. A fear, more primal than you have ever known seems to hover in the back of your minds, waiting to engulf you and leave you senseless. The only one unaffected seems to be Moira. Fig has fallen to the ground but rises herself up to her knees. Your barely hear her voice over the crackle and snap of the fire. Her face is wracked with pain and stark terror.

"I open the way!"

You feel yourself slipping from this place and can only watch as Paladin is dragged into the shadows. His body is mostly meat but still you can see in his eyes awareness. Awareness that he is being left behind. You soon lose consciousness as he is pulled under completely. Your next moment finds you lying prone on a carpet of bones and skulls.

Murrey

You drop deeper into the machine and turn your "eyes" to the bike and its rider. You see a young man on the bike, he does not appear to be carrying any sort of obvious weapon on him. You do not "hear" the sound of rigger traffic in the area around him. The vehicle he is on standard from what you can see. You capture a still of the figure as you turn to share your findings with Onna you are surprised by the sight of tears streaming down her face. You can barely make out her whispered words. "Nothing....there is nothing left....I have failed...."

Hiroto

As you ride forward you feel the spirit convulse along your body as a wave of something old and deep washes over you. It feels distant and carries tones of anguish and sorrow.

Aaron

You move across the lot and approach the building. Reaching out to grasp the handle, you give it a firm tug to find it securely locked. A second after trying the door, a light flickers to life on the buzzer box. A voice comes out, badly disorted byt the tinny speaker. "Can I help you sir?"

Havoc

You move across the lot and approach the building. You scan over the area trying to see if something else is here. Cameras, security sensors, something but all you see is the same shabby warehouse. Reaching out to grasp the handle, you give it a firm tug to find it securely locked. A second after trying the door, a light flickers to life on the buzzer box. A voice comes out, badly disorted by the tinny speaker. "Can I help you sir?"

Aaron stepped out from in front of the door, not that it would help if the people inside had evil intent, but it was a habit.

"Yes, I'm here for a meeting with Stefan, I believe he's expecting me."

In japanese over the MK-6 speaker, "Are you okay?"

Blinking, Bakatare looks around, groping for the staff instinctively as he climbs to his feet.

I've never spent quite so much time unconcious or laying down...

The price must be paid, let us hope that his sacrifice did not damn us all.

Shiver peers out through his electric blue eyes at the immediate signs of death. Knowing all too well that these bones may as well be his own in time, he rises as he must. The aging troll reaches down to help Moira to her feet and turns to offer the same courtesy to small Angelina, the cousin by grace of a comet, who had held his mind until Epithumia showed him the truth of desire.

Cane in hand, Shiver looks around this place, unsure if Fig made it through the passing.

Blackness. And then light. Angelina found herself on a carpet of bones and skulls. She seemed to be in one piece. It took her a bit to recall what had happened. Paladin... the sight of him burning haunted her still.

Taking Shiver's hand up, she looked to the others. All seemed to be there. Except Paladin. And where was Fig? How long would they be safe here? Surely the one who hunted her wouldn't be long in following. "Others shouldn't have to pay for whatever it is I've done..." she sadly said.

Hiroto

As the pulse ripples through the astral plane your senses stretch and reach seeming to ride the distortion. Your mind is assaulted by random images as you try to divine the cause beyond the disruption. You see a man, an orc caught in the grip of some great claw. You see a woman standing alone on a small stage, her eyes seem to burn with prenatural want and desire. An aged troll drawing himself to his feet, the weight of ages clear on his bones. Just as suddenly the connection is broken as the astral space around you rebalances to its normal state.

Murrey

Her voice is thin and hollow as she replies. "One of them has died......."

Questers

As you look around, eyes searching for any sign of your guide, you see a small movement to the side of your party.Something moves under the bones littered all around. You hear the soft moan of pain, the voice sounds like Fig.

Hiroto shuddered as the wave passed over him, he turned and looked towards the companion guiding him. "How much further? I sense we must hurry."

He guided the bike along the dirt road.

"That can't be. It was supposed to be safe, how can meditation kill you?"

Shiver crosses the intervening space and offers a hand down to Fig.

"Please rise old friend, we are still in need of a guide until we return once more to the Gallery."

Strange place. Havoc thinks.

He clears his throat before answering, "My name is Havoc. I'm here for a meeting."

As he responds, his right hand slips under the back of his jacket and grips his holstered pistol.

Questers

As Shiver makes his way over, a small thin arm scrabbles it's way out from under the bits of bone. The aged troll gingerly removes the larger masses that seem to be pinning your guide down. With a groan she takes to the air. "I hate this job...." She hovers a moment to look over herself, making sure she hasn't suffered any permanent injury. "Sorry about your friend but I can't do anything for him. You'll need to appeal to the Prince of Dreams, though I have no idea what that was or if he'll be able to do anything about it. I just hope its not a new aspect of the Dreaming. I could live without that hanging around." She looks over the group, making sure everyone is ready to move on.

Murrey

"Your spirit self travels far from this place to the deeper realms. Things are different there and the journey is not without risk but I have never heard of one dying while seeking enlightenment there." Her voice sounds thin and weak. In a distant part of your awareness the sensors in the van tightly focus in on the rider approaching your location. You capture an image of a young man riding a motorcyle. The scan doesn't show any weapon signatures on the bike and he seems to relatively unarmed. His speed is moderate and his approach seems cautious.

Havoc

The same voice comes back through the speaker. "Please come in." There is an audible click as the door releases and swings out slightly.

Aaron

"Please come in." The light flickers out from the speaker as the door releases and swings out slightly.

Aaron shifts his perceptions into the spirit realm and assenses the area, then returns his senses to the mundane and opens the door and steps inside.

"We will mourn the dead when time permits, for now we must continue to guard the living. The approaching rider appears to have no weaponry."
No weapons, hrmm. He's either a fool or a mage, in either case I'll be ready.
Over the rigger network, Ready concussion grenades and standy by.

:: Moira dusts the front of her dress off as she shakily makes her way over the bones to Fig and Shiver. ::

"Then perhaps we had best make our way quickly. I could not bear to lose another of my friends in this place."

Questers

Fig moves around trying to work her aches and pains out. "This has gotten complicated since we're down a member. The way changes with each person and it was set when we left. Now that someone has gone from the group the way will not work as it should. It will twist and warp as it tries to reflect the group as it is now." Her face seems to grew sad and miserable. "The danger has grown now and my job will be next to impossible to do. The only sure way that exists now for us is to challenge the trio that wait at the gate. That can be done from anywhere in the Dreaming but its not a way I would recommend."

Murrey

Onna's face flushes hot with shame at the mention of the duty that has not been lifted from her. "My apologies and excuse my lapse, let the man approach and we will see what he wants from us. I will counter any threat he may present from the spirit realms." She seems to shake off the sorrow and tucks it away somewhere deep inside. Her hand moves to her sword and she takes a ready stance.

As she speaks the sensors continue to scan over the bike and its passenger. It slowly picks out a long metallic object, possibly a sword and the signature of two hand held firearms. Both are tucked out of way as not to draw attention.

Hiroto

As you draw closer to the area the spirit seems to be leading you, you begin to make a small campfire. You make out a familiar figure standing in the flickering light. As you slide into the astral and open your senses to the flows of mana and life you are struck by the sense of pain in her aura. The area seems to be seeped in something ancient, recently awakened recently it seems by the lingering flows of mana around you.

Aaron

As you pull open the door and open yourself to the astral space around you. You see the delicate web of woven mana hovering just inside the door of the building. You think perhaps an alarm ward of some sort. Risking a glance to your side, you see a thick ward just along the inside wall of the door frame behind you. You return your gaze to the hall the seems to lead to a large opening several feet away. You can see the lights of club and feel the low throb of music through the floor. A large form, a troll draped in silk and high fashion, moves to the archway and waits for you at the end.

"Welcome to Extassis. Please make sure to check any personal belongings with coat check and enjoy your stay."

Havoc

You move quietly into the darkened hall, nothing seems to trip off that gut instinct that always rises up when people want to put holes in your chest. The long hall has an archway that opens to what you assume is the club. The thumpa of something deep and latin carries across the floor to your feet. As you walk down a large figure, another troll doing the muscle gig dressed to the nines, moves to the side of the archway.

"Welcome to Extassis and our apologies for the confusion. Please make sure to check any personal belongings with coat check and enjoy your stay."

:: Moira straightens up and takes a step towards Fig. Forcing a face of confidence while the pit of her stomach grows heavy, she nods. ::

"If this is what must be done, then it is what will be done. Can you offer any advice to prepare us for such a confrontation?"

"There was nothing to excuse, and we did not fail them. We are rear to protect them from this helm, there is nothing we can do for them wherever they have traveled to, they must see to themselves. The rider approaching does seem to be armef, possibly a sword and two firearms."
Not so foolish afterall, let us see what news this rider bears.

Aaron smiled at the bouncer, and headed immediately into the club, not bothering to stop at the coat check. He knew there would be weapons detectors and chem sniffers imbeded in the walls but didn't worry since he wasn't packing anything more lethal than cheese cake he'd selected for dessert.

He braced himself for the shock of moving into a large room full of moving bodies. Part of the old bastard's training regime for a twelve year old had included being blindfolded and being whacked with a boken to learn the ability to "feel" the fight around him. Strangely enough gross excess brutality worked as a teaching method, because now Aaron had a sixth sense for movement and could almost always tell whenever someone moved in his immediate vicinity. That ability became almost useless in a packed nightclub. The constant bodies in motion set up a constant thrum inside his head as he tried to track all the motions, until he simply put it to the back of his head and tried to ignore it. Still, all those moving bodies also provide excellent mobile cover if things got ugly, so everything sort of equalled out.

He moved out into the room to see what he could see.

Hiroto slowly brought the bike to a halt a short distances from the fire. Easing himself off the bike he turned to the spirit, "If this is where I need to be I thank you, you may go your duty forfulled. " He bowed to the spirit then turned to the bike. Easing his sword from is secured location beneath the seat, he carefully tucked it into his obi before picking up the bag from the back.

Slowly Hiroto walked towards the fire, each step almost purposeful and calculated, the bag carried loosely at his side.

He came to a halt at the edge of the firelight. Placing the bag on the ground at his side to turned towards Onna. Hiroto bowed deep and long. "Onna-san, you called and I have come, though I fear to late."

Havoc releases his weapon and relaxes a bit.

"Nice place," he says to the bouncer. Sure it was different than his usual watering holes and the music didn't quite suit him, but it wasn't too bad.

He looks around for a bar or any other place where he can take a seat and order something and makes his way to it.

"We shall do what must be done. If a challenge is the only way, then that is what must be. I will echo, Moira's concern. What do we know of the Trio and is there a place that would be more advantageous to us to challenge them from?"

Questers

Your guide moves to hover closer to Shiver. "The Guardians are just that, they keep the flotsam from entering the Heart of the Dreaming and bothering the Lord of the Dark Hours. They assume the shape of a griffin, wyvern, and a hippogriff. I know of no one who has challenged them but there are tales, this place is made of myths and stories, of those who have and have gained an audience with our Lord." She seems to be lost in thought. "They all speak of challenges but what is not clear is what exactly the challenges were. Many assume that a fight is one of the challenges. I do know that the one tied to this realm will have to face some sort of trial on her own but what that means I do not know. I can open way to them but I will not be able to help you. The choice is yours."

Hiroto

As you enter the light of the small fire, you see Onna's stance relax slightly. "Hiroto-san you have come." She bows in return showing equal respect and honor to you. "I was hoping that the kami I sent would find you and bring you here." She turn to a small drone."This man is a friend to me and comes at my request. I was not certain if he would come but the fortunes are with me this day. Hiroto this is a warrior of true spirit who answers to Murrey." She motions to the fire and indicates that Hiroto should join her.

Hiroto bows slightly towards the drone, "Konbanwa Murrey."

Placeing the bag at his side on the floor, Hiroto lowered himself to the ground sitting crosslegged. His perception shifting back onto the astral observing the area around him. "This is a very old area, much has happened here."

Bakatare steps forward, a slight tremble apparent in his death grip on the staff, the power of the foci seeming to bring slight comfort. His youth is for once obvious in his features, and it is obvious that he will carry the image of Paladin's death in his eyes for some time. Standing next to Shiver, he looks to Fig as the guide speaks.

"As Shiver says, what must be done must be done. Time spent in this place doesn't seem beneficial to anyone, so let us do it quickly."

From within the drone the reply sounds, "Hajimemashite Hiroto-san. Tras your whip here pleasant?"

To the drones, Disengage target, identify as friend. Note signature for reference. Begin passive scan for tails.

Questers

Fig seems to deflate in on herself as the group seems intent to face the trials ahead. "Ok, if that's what you want then I will take you. The way is not far from here. We need to travel to a different point than this to make our way to them. As we move through this place do not dwell on the past or it will find us here." She gestures to the deeper part of the field of bones and begins to make her way in that direction.

Outside

Onna takes a moment to prepare a cup of tea. Her movements are ritualistic as she prepares it. Even though the cup is only a simple metal one, it suddenly seems to have a deeper meaning. She offers it with respect and genuine warmth.

"This place holds an ancient kami that can for a price take travelers to the deeper realms. A friend has taken a journey and I have offered to stand watch as they seek."

Havoc

"The best." The troll's voice is light and friendly. The main area of the club is open and the music is woven through the space. You see three bars in the club. One to the left, another on the right and one past a sunken dance floor on the back wall. As you make your way to the nearest bar. A female orc, she seems to radiate a heat and a welcome in her scent. "What can I get you?"

Aaron

As you move through the crowds in the club, you are struck by the sheer beauty and art of the club. There seems to be a pulse that moves through the club and the crowd. The staff seems to effortlessly blend in with the patrons and the atmosphere. You are amazed by the diversity of the staff, you see every stripe of metahumanity working the floor. As you move towards the back and the sunken dance floor, you see several raised platforms with dancers on it. Their bodies are painted with designs that make new shapes as they assume different poses to the flow of the music.

Hiroto paused a moment, a faint flicker of confusion showing on his face at Murrey's comment. "Hai."

Hiroto accepted the cup graciously.

He nodded sadly, "It seems that for one the price was too high. I hope their search nears its end."

Bakatare turns to follow the guide, only pausing to glance back and make sure Moira was moving forward as well.

With a steadyig hand for Angelina and Moira, Shiver follows the guide. Plans were beginning to formulate in his mind, but only the future would tell if that was a path he was meant to walk.

The unforking journey to a single outcome lay before him, there are no choices which have yet to be made. Only the choices that he still needed to understand. Shiver only hopes that the price he will pay for the aide he will beseech is not more than he wishes to pay.

Questers

You move across the littered ground, the sound and feel of bone under your feet fills the quiet. The light is dim and ever present with no real single source. When you chance a look up the sky seems to have been swallowed up and all you see is the gaping wound where it once was. You walk for about an hour though it is hard to tell with no way to mark the passage of time here.

You came to a stop as Fig begins to float closer to the ground and begins to search through the piles of bones around her. "Ok we're almost there I just need to find the right bone and we can make a path to the Heart of the Dreaming. So who is doing the challenge then?" Her voice is tight but light as if she is trying to keep things airy and pleasant.

Outside

Onna takes a sip of tea before speaking. "No lives should have been lost, I am not sure what has happened. It is possible to fail a such a seeking but I have never heard of one leading to death or even of dying while seeking. We will have to see what the others have to say about the journey they have been on. But this is not why I asked for your help Hiroto-chan. These people are fighting something dark and evil that moves through the city, it was my hope you would assist them. Murrey knows more of the struggle than do I but I know they seek to remove a great darkness from the city that preys on the less fortunate. Please help them if you can." Her tone is polite but sincere.

At the Club

As you watch the nightlife move around you and club seems to move to its own pulse. Once again the under current of the club changes, the focus of the crowd is drawn to a young man who is moving from the back of the club working his way forward. His pale blonde hair picks up the various lights of the dance floor. He flows from one group of patrons to the next with practiced ease. Each group feeling like he stopped just for them before moving on. He makes eye contact with you and gives a gentle nod to the other bar along the right side of the club.

Hiroto sat quietly listening to Onna.

"I still understand very little of that world, I can see it but cannot travel freely therein. If I can be of assistance I shall help. Prehaps in the darkness lies the way back to the light." Hiroto paused a short while before continuing.

"The tale can wait the return of the others, we should be vigilant yet."

Bakatare steps forward, facing Fig, sparing only a quick glance back at Shiver and the steadying hand he offers.

"Is it necessary for only one of us to offer the challenge? If so, I'll do it."

Through the drone speaker, "Do you have a personal secretary, I can place the files collected to date there for you, so that you can peruse as we await the results of the quest. If not, " the MK-6 drone makes a gesture towards the van, "you can watch them in there."

"Nothing too heavy," Havoc tells the barlady, "I'm on the job."

He orders a mixed drink with just enough rum to get the taste through the other liquids, then slowly sips as he watches the crowd. After one of the patrons slides up to the bar and gives him the nod, Havoc grabs his drink, leaves a tip for the woman behind the bar, and follows behind.

"There must also be the trial for the one tied to this place. As this is the realm that Angelina unlocked, I would presume that it is she who must face the trial. My place is by her side.

"Please stay with Moira and all that she is. You have the power to bend the will of men, my power resides only in my arms and body. We will need your strength to keep her safe from those like me."

Shiver lifts one scaled hand to touch the cheek of his Mistress' vessel.

"By the book, I shall return or I will not have a breath left to me."

Offering his hand once more to his small changeling ward, he lifts his felt fedora and resettles it between his horns.

"Are we ready, cousin?"

Aaron slides through the crowds effortlessly, ignoring the welter of signals his motion sense is sending him, sipping a mineral water, ironically enough bottled in the Tir.

With a single glance at Shiver, his attention re-focuses on Moira and the invaluable spark she carries. He steps back, yielding the challenge to the Changeling and the old troll.

"I would agree. If we cannot all go, you are best suited to deal with the threats against your charge."

:: Moira smiles benevolently at the two men. ::

"Your equal courage is commendable, but it would be best for us all to go, if such is allowed. There is strength in our combined talents and I fear this challenge may require all our effort."

Questers

Fig gives a little cry of victory as she pulls what looks to be a finger bone from the ground. She flies back up to a meter above the ground. She seems to take a moment to gather her strength and will before she snaps the bone in two. With a look of disgust, she places a broken end in her mouth seeming to suck the dry marrow from it. She turns and blows out spreading dry bits of bone into the air. She says a single word that seems to twist in on itself. The fragments hang in the air and begin to grow out, forming a spider web of bone. The mass grows and takes on the dimensions of a set of double doors made of bone and marrow. They stand three meters tall and four meters wide.

"That's the door....."

At the Club

You make your way to the gentleman moving through the club to meet up with him at the bar. He turns to face you, giving a warm smile. His face has a gentle strength to it, a man sure of his place in the world. His clothing seems to have been pulled from the latest fashion trids. He has a light build like that of a swimmer or athlete. Someone who works out to stay in shape but not to fight or work the shadows. "Thank you for coming, if you'll follow me we can move to a more private location to discuss things." He gives a nod to the bartender and makes his way around to a wall to the right of the bar. The woman working the bar quickly moves a hand underneath appearing to access some sort keypad or control panel. As you approach the wall a seam appears as a door fairly well hidden appears. Your guest pulls the door open and holds it to allow you to pass.

The interior is a small office. A wooden desk with two chairs opposite it fills most of the space. The wood tones and leather gives the room a warm and cozy atmosphere. As soon as everyone clears the door, the gentleman pulls it closed behind him and moves to take a seat behind the desk. "My apologies for not introducing myself, my name is Stefan and I will be representing the Johnson. Since I've never worked with either of you, what shall I call you?" His tone is pleasant and respectful.

"Then let us all move forward to face the challenges provided. We'll help Angelica however we may." He moves forward, obviously intending to match deed to word.

"If such is your will, then it is the path you must walk." Bakatare had chosen to lay the challange along side him, the aging troll knew that it must be so.

"Thank you for your guidance Fig. Without it we would not have found the way."

Turning to face Angelina, Shiver moves toward the gate.

"Come cousin, I will walk the path before you to guide your steps."

With a final look to Epithumia wrapped under Moira's pale skin, the changeling troll pushes open the massive doors and steps through.

"I stand to challenge the Guardians That Wait, I and those who follow have business with the Lord of the Dark Hours. Necessity drives us and Fate has laid the stones beneath our steps. Rise to meet me or stand aside, the choice has been written. It is only for us to now see the words manifest."

"Good evening Stephan, I'm known as Mr. Gray, Aaron Gray. Aaron is fine."

He looked around the room and closely examined the others around him.

Questers

The door swing open and you are greeted by the sight of a lush forest. The doors seems to be set on a stone path that winds its way to a large cave in the side of a mountain. The interior is dark and seems to swallow the light as it passes into the space. As your eyes work their way up the mountain you soon see beasts your guide mentioned. Sitting on ledges arrayed above the cave you see a wyvern, griffin and a hippogriff. They are perfect in every way, as if they were the first that all others mimiced. Their eyes seems empty and vast as they look down at your arrival. Just beyond on the the summit of the peak you see a gothic keep. As Shiver's words die out in the air around you they seem to rouse to life.

"Arrogant creature! I should rend your flesh from your bones!" The wyvern's claws dig into the stone under it as small bits roll down the cliff face. It's tail seems to move with a life of its own and the wet gleam covers the tip of the barb.

"Silence, every creature has the right to approach or would you challenge the Oneiromancer and his edicts?" The clack of the griffin's beak as it talks seems to cut the crisp words from its throat. It seems unconcerned with its companion's ire.

"Be at peace both of you. Let us hear what story lays these creatures at our doorstep." The hippogriff rises and shakes itself off, unfurling its wings before settlting back against its back. "Speak travelers, why do you seek the Shaper of Forms?"

"How you doing, Stefen?" Havoc asks by way of greeting. He nods to the other occupant(s) of the room, and then takes a seat. "We waiting for ayone else?"