The Manor

Etcher spends the next couple of days sleeping in a small but comfortable room (It looks like a servants quarters with a simple bed, night stand, and dresser), enjoying the occasional visit to the kitchen where the cook entertains (threatens) him, and helping around the house. During this time he hears several arguments as Witic storms out of the screaming at the seer about the unsuitability of this candidate or how that other one is totally being overlooked. In the early morning of hist fourth day at the manor Witic finds Etcher and takes him up to the observatory to talk with the seer.

I have managed to locate two viable candidates who seem likely to be able to help restore the manor to its proper state of functioning order instead of this improperly chaotic state it suffers in due to current management.
Witic harumphs at this but the seer continues on. Luckily one of them is quite close to an active public matrix point. Witic will take you down to our matrix room and I will assist from here in establishing the proper connection which will send you to the other point where you will then have to find your way out and then locate the candidate.

Witic interrupts at this point

As you blink away the temporary blindness you feel cool air all around. A dim glow from the tiles and runes around the tiles is fading quickly but provides enough light to see you are in a large cavernThis cavern is an intersection for several major tunnels, leading back north-west, south-west, north-east, and south-east that forks to the south and another to the east just at the edge of the facing light. In the middle of the cavern is a large flattened area of black and white tile that forms a checkered pattern.

Etcher finds a flat surface, but not the tiles he arrived on, and set about spinning the amulet. It soon stopped spinning and pointed to one side of the cavern (up/north for the image). As he mark the direction is his head and looks around to cement the place in his mind he observes one section of the cave suddenly ripple as an old man stepped through chanting a spell followed closely by an armored warior.

Roll a save test, 2d6, or be paralyzed.

The wizard hastily back of after getting jabbed a second time while chanting the paralysis spell again and snapping at the guard Grab him fools. We need to take him alive.. The guards move to block you from reaching the wizard as they try and grab you.
Roll another save vs paralysis
Both guards manage to grab you making it impossible to chase the wizard and will overpower you next round if you cannot break free or get paralyzed.

As Etcher weaves through the clumsy guards and lunges to grab the wizard you hear a snort to the side. Back from teh illusary wall a beam on light bursts forth striking Etcher and he finds himself in a magicla 4 foot diameter buble. From out of the illusion steps a laughing gnome
You're getting old Wizard! I can't believe you couldn't hanlde a single avian swordsman, underground no less! and he continues laughing

I was trying to simply slow the fool. You know I could have blasted him is a heartbeat. The old man snaps back at the still chuckling gnome. Now see here you. I will have you know you interupted a very important set of tests! and scowls at Etcher though you can easily see he is more embarased and anoyed than angry How exacly did you get here? Who sent you? What are you doing here? Hmm? Hmmm?

Back of Fiznik.
This is my guest! and the gnome laughs again at the wizards scowl. Turning to Etcher he introduced himself My name is Valpip. As I have many questions for you. But firt off the most important If I drop my Resiant Spere and set you free will you attack us or run away? I must point out that should you attempt either poor old Fiznik other there will likely up his game and start lobbing fireballs at you. Not a threat just an acknowledgment of my exteemed compatriots great skill and he gives a slight bow to the wizard, who harumphs.

The guards are looking almost as ashamed as the wizard and move to stand next to the wizard and gnome, all eyes on you.

The gnome looks at your for a moment concidering and shrugs Right then. I'll let you out, you answer a few questions and we'll take you out of here and you can go look for your mistress. With a wave the spherre dissapears and Valpip proceedes to ask Etcher several questions about the tiles, how he activated them, where he came from, what he knows about the tiles. etc. Other than some cursory questions about Etchers current quest he has little interest in his history and after getting as much as he can from Etchrs short ansers he sends him off in frustration.

Some time during this another pair of guards showed up out of the dark from the north. One steps forward and commands Come this way.

This pair seem a bit more experience and allert that the pair with the wizard and gnome and guide Etcher through a series of tunnels heding in the direction the pendant indicated. The rough caverns eventually lead to rooms cut into the stone or build into it with brickwork. Through a new iron bar gate and several rooms you are led to a ladder and up into a small town.

Rigt. Now stay out of trouble. My man will accompany you for the day to make sure you dont get into any trouble the commander tells you and stalks off after passing instructions to the guard.

As Etcher looks around he and notes that though there are bits of old building to be seen but most are patched with newer, and most likely magical, stonework. Most of the buildings are built from old solid stone block with smooth patches filling in the gaps and reinforcing the older crumbling stonework. A variety of races are easily seen though most seem like you, adventurers here for fame and fortune.

The base, as Etcher learns it is called, has an odd assortment of people, rough river boat and dock hands, mercenaries, adventurers, cayenne, and scholarly researchers. With the remainder of the day you wander about listening to snatches of gossip eventually making your way to the local hangout, the tavern. The variety of people is all to evident here and you note the varied accents of people from the Nations, Freeholds, and Kingdoms. Some of these cluster with those of like origins woke other groups are a mix of nationalities and people but are of a like profession. The large room has a few small tables, mostly full, as well as several large common tables, and a bar sheet people are eating, drinking, and chatting.

Story moving to the Base thread

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