Activation Station II, The Cold Basement

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Yeah, close dat door. We need to get out of 'ere", Maag calls out. "Darklin woz a good bloke an' we did everyfink we could for 'im. Der weirdo wiv der monkey ran in on 'is own account. We 'ave got no reason to 'ang around 'ere any more".

Wes

"Even if the darkness where we lost Chauncey isn't spreading", Wes responds to the Princess, "is it worth the risk of being cut off down there?"

"Even together, we can't stop this darkness here, now. Whatever is wrong with Obad Hai's domain can only be made right when we have visited all the obelisks and solved their riddles. We need to leave, and form groups to visit the next ones".

[OGRE MAGE]

Consequences
Midday, Dark
Almost Total Darkness

Those who entered the darkness feel a sense of unease after they scrambled back into the main room again. It was suggested that Daisy attempt to protect herself from evil by using her divine magic. Though they have no idea if her spell worked or not, the group is shocked to notice that their numbers have dwindled even further, as neither Daisy nor Luther have reemerged from the cold dark. Calling out to them does no good, and any attempt at rescue would involve someone moving back into the darkness themselves. Amun and a few others strongly discourage this.

Andron feels a strong urge to warn the people in the Lost Tavern about this possible impending doom. He moves back into the central hallway with the blue portal that leads to the ethereal wonder.

The consensus of the remainder of the group seems to be to shut the door leading to the basement Activation Station again in hopes that it will hold back this impending negative darkness. Using one of their remaining stone spheres, the door closes as easily as it opened, completely stopping the darkness from flowing out into the main room.

Though still a bit distraught, Mr. Wrenly and the other animal familiars in the group seem relieved by this sudden turn of events, no longer keeping their distance from the rapidly dissipating phenomenon.

A quick look through the third door reveals that the darkness the Dungeon Training group found isn't spreading, at least.

The next suggestions involve the idea of splitting back into groups who will go out to investigate the next two obelisk sites.

Actions?

I am guessing you have already gathered this notion, but the difficulty level of these missions will be higher the deeper into the island you explore.

Maag AC:4 5/20
Yrias AC:5 8/8 1/3 1st RM, CL, DM 1/1 1st Light
Princess AC:6 HP 3/5
Wake (C3) AC:3 11/24 0/4 first 3/3 second Light/Torch
Feanol (MU3) AC:10 10/14 RM, CL, DM 1/4 1st 1/2 2nd
Aliendron AC10 11/17 (CL4) 1st 0/5 2nd 0/4 (MU3) RM, CL, DM, 1st 0/2 2nd 0/1 (DC:5)
Theo AC:5 11/13 (Sword)
Alordan AC3 16/22
Torbath (M3) AC8 16/18 RM, CL, DM, 1st 2/2 2nd 1/1 (top of backpack) Comet AC:7 4/4]
Lerrick: (C5) AC:5 24/28 1st 0/5, 2nd 3/5 3rd 0/2 (Light Stone)
Cresty: (F2) AC:4 15/17
Tlachtga (D5) AC7 33/35 1st 5/6 2nd 3/5 3rd 2/3 (Light Stone)
Amun (F3) AC:2 14/33
Elnaerel (C4) AC:3 19/30 0/5 1st 4/4 2nd
Waesfaren (D6) AC:7 53/53 3/6 1st 3/5 2nd 2/3 3rd 1/1 4th PfF:0 Bullseye Lantern (SWA:1)
Grimm AC:5 20/20

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"I think splitting into 2 groups and investigating the obelisks is a good plan. Does everyone agree?"

[sastaz]

Amun

"Yes, agreed. But exactly what are we looking for?"

[gurusql]

Torbath

"The similar mega-gem that has been in the other two obelisks."

Wake

"Splitting into the two groups sounds like a good plan. What do these mega-gems looks like?"

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She looks back towards the basement mouthing a goodbye to Daisy and Luther. "We will meet again."

The Princess lets out a big sigh at the stopped encroachment. "I can't believe that worked. But if I remember, the obelisks we activated are now visible and probably encircled by some semi-intelligent life. The others were. A riddle of sorts allows entrance to the dark ether? Or so it's called. A test allows access to a mega-gem, Andron has one he can show everyone."

"There are 16 of us, 8 and 8?"

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Yes I think 8 and 8 would be best."

[kruk]

Cresty

The fighter listens to the conversation but adds nothing. He is content in joining any of the two groups that will be formed.

Lerrick

Two groups of 8...I agree...anyone have an idea of how to split our group into equally potent parties? She turns to the alien for an answer as he always seems to have one in these matters.

[Quonundrum]

Reposted.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Not sure it matter much but Tlachtga is 5th level. Maybe move one of the fighter/thieves?

[jemmus]

Theo is very proud to have made 2nd level low charisma Ranger.

[Ahlmzhad]

I'm good with that plan and breakdown. Probably about equal given the levels of those in the two groups.

[Jernau35]

Maag is fine with moving to group B. He's worked with them before and can sense that they just haven't been working to their full potential without him

[ravenn4544]

Works for me

[Karaunios]

Fine with the groups.

[Quonundrum]

Aliendron

He nods in approval as the remaining adventurers are assembled into their respective groups. "Welcome back, Mr. Maag. In your absence, it felt like we were not able to realize our full potential." He then produces a quite large, sparkling, grey tinted gem, the size of a halfling's head. "This is the smoke Mega-Gem, like the activation spheres it is a key, although to what exactly, we don't know."

"Princess Sommerstars is correct. At the fire and smoke obelisks, a riddle called for the insertion of the respective element. In the case of the ice obelisk, this may prove problematic ..."

"The obelisks are conduits to the Dark Ether. A neutral void that acts as a buffer to allow safe transit through space and time. Directly away from the portal is eventually found an elemental curtain."

"It is through the curtain where a trial awaits, prepared by Wendall. Successful completion of the trial should award the corresponding Mega-Gem."

He gestures to the middle door, inviting the others. "We should all rest and recover in the tavern, and procure any needed supplies in the Ethereal Marketplace. We may not have another opportunity."

Group A
Wake (C2)
Amun (F3)
Grimm (F3?/T4?)
Elnaerel (C4)
Waesfaren (D6)
Feanol (M3)
Princess (M1?)
Yrias (C1/F1/M1)

Group B
Aliendron (C4/M3)
Theo (R2)
Alordan (R4)
Torbath (M3)
Lerrick (C5)
Cresty (F2)
Tlachtga (D5)
Maag (F3?/T4?)

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"I don't have much to purchase supplies with, but rest I could use."

[jemmus]

Usually not much for proposing courses of action, Theo clears his throat and says, And, uh... There was a lot of the tavern that we didn't see. Maybe there's more to it than just being an ordinary tavern? It being in a different dimension and all.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel, Grimm and Yrias agree with the plan.

[sastaz]

Amun gapes.

"A different...dimension? I have to see this."

(which means she agrees to the plan.)

"Who's there? Gods? Is our gold worth anything there at all?"