After the battle

When morning comes, it finds Kai practicing in front of the building through what, to all appearances, is some sort of semi-complex dance.... at least that is what it would look like if he did not have his swords in hand.

Kai, by this point, has become completely relaxed, falling back on an old technique that he had not used in years.... a series of dances that he had learned from some desert-folk who had travelled through Imprias periodically. Kai had always found an almost meditative quality in the sequence of steps and, though he had not worked to further improve his skill with the steps for years, found that he was unconciously modifying it to accomodate the change in his skill with his blades. What resulted was somewhat eye-catching, with the swords catching the light from the torches that he had posted in the ground arond where he practiced. As the sun breaks over the trees, Kai brings the dance to an end, a light sheen of sweat over his form, as he takes the time to watch the light dawn on a new day.

I imagine I should be receiving a summons soon. Better get ready for it.

Kai towels off quickly before heading inside to don his working gear.

Just before morning, Kai receives an unmistakable feeling and, with little notion of why, gathers his stuff and makes his way to Cas' workshop.

Cas and Foerian are both present and neither looks like they have rested, eaten or washed. Neither are talking but are staring at each other intently.

Finally, Foerian's eyes dart a quick glance in your direction and soon after Cas turns towards you.

"Ah, you have come. That is good, I believe we have finally finished our preparations to send you to the Plane of Shadow. I hope you have completed your preparations, because you will have no time after we are done before you must go so as to save as much energy as possible."

"Now, as I explained before, what we plan to do is to tie spells that will help you survive in the Plane of Shadow to you as an energy source, hopefully giving enough time for you to complete the mission. But, after discussing it with Foerian, we have decided that a basic human body would not hold enough energy to last more then a day or two holding these spells. So we have devised an energy boost, which will also be tied to you, which should give you a couple extra days."

"Hopefully you will not need this extra time, but it's better to be safe then dead. Now, we have narrowed down the spells we would like to put on you to the three spells we think would benefit you the most."

"The first is the energy boost itself. While it's standard purpose will be to provide you with the extra energy needed, this extra energy will give you boosts to how strong you feel as well as how healthy you feel. This extra will dissipate as the energy is being used up. On top of this, you can use this spell to start up the following spells if you ever have a need to bring them down or to provide you with a single greater boost in your power. These uses will use more energy then normal, but may be necessary."

"The second is what I call Shadowvision. The Plane of Shadow is a dark contrast to our own world and, since you are unused to it, a perfect place to be ambushed by knowing creatures. Shadowvision will allow you to view the Plane of Shadow as if it were your own world, in fact even better. While you have Shadowvision up you will have increased vision, which will allow you to better spot the dangers ahead, as well as give you the ability to make attacks with better precision. As with the energy boost, you can use this ability for a short period of time to make your vision even better, at the cost of more energy."

"The final is called Shadowmeld. To better utilize the natural surroundings of the Plane of Shadow, the Shadowmeld will allow you to be far more stealthy then you normally would. It will also grants all weapons you wield with the ability to strike shadows. For a single burst of increased energy, you will gain even better stealth as well as the ability to use the shadows to transport you up to 100 feet from your current position, as long as you can see it."

"Now, on the negative side, should you start to fall below your normal amount of energy, you will start to feel as if you haven't rested. When your energy runs out, you will lose conscious and any remaining spells will stop."

"These spells will take about an hour to cast and tie to your energy, so we will begin now."

With that Foerian starts to gesture in complex spell movements. Kai feels the beginnings of spellcasting from his ring.

"Foerian is actually casting the spells, I am just helped to research them, so we can talk, if you like."

((A more full explanation of how this will work is in the OOC thread. Post any OOC questions there, any IC questions here.))

KAi

Kai holds out the chest he is carrying (he also has he second haversack with him).

"Where would you like me to put this? I also wanted to ask if you could hold onto this pack for me. Should something happen that prevents me from returning, please give the items to any whom they may assist."

Once instructed on where to place the chest, Kai will place it in that location, at which tim he will then take a seat on the floor.

"Thank you again for taking the time to identify everything in the chest. I am assuming that many of these items belonged to Korwin and Krod?"

((Is that Cas' chest or the mystery chest?))

(Cas' chest.)

Kai returns Cas' chest to where the mage pointed. At Cas' instruction he puts the pack next to it with a nod to Kai's instructions.

"What wasn't yours before was most certainly their's. I figured it should go to you as you were atleast their companions. As for the identifying, it was of no issue, helping you seems to help me and my people, so I figure it's a fair trade."

KAI

Kai nods slightly at Cas' words.

"Since we have a little time, I do have a question about one of the two boxes. I successfully opened one that contained a couple of notes. I used the same method on the second one, inserting the key where there is no keyhole, but the lid still does not open once it is unlocked. I have not been able to locate any other locking mechanism and was wondering if you had any ideas on how to open the second box?"

Cas ponders your words for a second.

"Interesting. I found the same you did, but was able to find multiple magical keyholes on the second box when I tested it."

((When we talked, you had stated you didn't want to try anything further are pulling the key from the chest while in the unlocked position, so your post about trying other keyholes really didn't happen. If I misunderstood I am sorry but am answering as if you didn't.))

"I believe the box requires four keys to unlock, all unlocked at the same time. If I may ask, where did you get that box?"

(the statement about not locating another locking mechansim was based on a search for mechanical locks, not other keyholes).

"I believe that was the box that we found in the orc encampment when your people freed us. Korwin stuffed it in his pack after the sorceress we were with checked the box and Krod tried to smash it open. As I was waiting for the night to pass, I decided to check the box out. I didn't want to pry to heavily since you had indicated that I should see you about the box. To the best of my knowledge, neither Korwin nor Krod were ever able to open it, if they even tried beyond the initial attempt."

Kai pauses for a moment.

"Four keys, huh? I may be mistaken, but I think this key came from the the vreshka that was chased off when we were being escorted to the camp. If I remember correctly, you had indicated that there were four of the vreshka, with the youngest being slain by Lordwyn. Perhaps Lordwyn also discovered a key? The number of keys seems a bit too coincidental given that this one was found on one of four vreshka."

A slight scowl crosses Kai's face as he remembers what he saw of the other two vreshka.

"Though I am not so sure I would relish trying to retrieve those remaining two keys if that holds true."

Cas ponders Kai's word for minute before answering.

"That would make sense. 4 keys, 4 vreshka. Lordwyn never mentioned finding a key, but that one is fairly close-mouthed, except with Hilarion. The only difference I can see is that Lordwyn killed Basar, he even has Basar's head to prove it. You, on the other hand, just drove Silar off from what was stated to me. Maybe we can talk with Lordwyn when you return."

"But you are right. With Pisar and Nar's keys still out there we are unlikely to ever open the box, if our theory is even correct."

KAI

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. If memory serves me correctly, it appeared as though Silar wore the key, possibly around his neck. I think it was on a broken rope, possibly snapped when he shifted into a dragon-form to flee up through the trees."

Kai has momentary flashes of that battle, the extreme sense of fear when the creature shifted into a dragon.

"But, as you stated, that is a topic for another day. I think that I understand how the spells will work when I arrive. As you said before, hopefully it will not be a long trip."

Kai's features become more serious for a moment as he debates whether or not to say what he wants to, then relax as he decides he has little to lose at this point.

"Cas, I never had a chance to thank Viola yesterday. I have thanked you and I stopped by Vrend's home to thank him, though that message will be passed to him through his daughter. Should things not turn out so well with this, would you do me the kindness of relaying my gratitude to Viola? It would mean a good bit."

"I will happily do as you request."

((Is that the extent of the questions you have?))

KAI

The sincerity and gratitude shines from Kai's eyes at Cas' words.

"Thank you."

With that, Kai, patiently waits until the priest is finished with his spells.

(That's it!)

The rest of the spellcasting process continues in silence. Cas hustles and bustles around his area while Foerian sits in his chair, eyes focused on Kai.

At long last, Foerian turns to look at Cas' back. Cas turns and looks at Foerian.

"Oh, right. Of course."

Foerian turns back to Kai and continues to stare.

"Foerian reminded me that we will need to leave my quarters before we can send you through the gateway to the Plane of Shadow. If you would follow me."

Cas leads Kai and Foerian out to the entryway to his quarters and sets the dial to the third option before opening the door. The jungle shows through as Cas and Foerian make their way through the portal. Kai follows.

As Kai exits Cas' quarters, Cas shuts the door, leaving Kai to realize they are not anywhere Kai has been before in the jungle.

"Kai, when you return, it should be to this spot. Come to this tree," Cas points to the tree that once held the door you just stepped through, "and push open the door to my quarters." Cas demonstrates, then quickly shuts the door again.

Cas and Foerian settle in to the natural surroundings with an eerily easiness that Kai could never replicate. Kai attempts to get comfortable, but before he can do so he feels a bit of spellcasting. Kai attempts to discover what the spell is, should it be hostile magic in this new place, but finds it is nothing more then the transportation spell to send Kai to the Plane of Shadow.

Looking in the direction of Cas to give him a small nod, Kai finds they are gone.

((Pick up the campaign in the next thread ... The Plane of Shadow.))