[Adventure] Familiar Turf - A Puzzling Problem Part 2

[king_of_egypt]

Who: Atem & Open!
Where: Strange Rune and Sygil Covered Obelisk #29
When: Shortly after receiving word that the shape of the missing puzzle piece appears on this obelisk's texts.
What: This & Continued from this message

The large structure stretched vertically skywards into the heavens, it's similarity in form to the obelisks of Atem's time was striking, and peculiar. Just how many parallels could be drawn between the two lands? What was different however, were the inscriptions carved masterfully into it. Whether it was done by magical conjuring or the more tedious and methodical carving it was still exquisite and a sight that could strike awe into even the most casual of observers. The collection of runes and sigils that decorated it appeared archaic to him and he wasn't sure if he was familiar with their modern equivalents or not. Walking around the base, he looked for the shape that resembled the shape of the missing puzzle piece.

For another set of eyes and also to get a look higher up he bade his familiars to fly upwards and seek it out as well, while he awaited the arrival of any volunteers eager to help solve the mystery with him. Capricius chimed a dissonant cord of protest before capitulating.It was obvious that the gemstone familiar wasn't keen on all this attention being dedicated to the additional Millennium Falcon. What a relief it was that despite the aversion, it was one-sided. His second familiar had a more amicable personality and took no exception to the other.

Atem stood there for a few moments just watching the two as they flew around the obelisk.

Comments

[gender_neutral]

Well, this looked like an adventure, and V needed some XP to pay for all this metamagic, so consider V signed up. The elf walked right up to Atem. "So what is the plot hook?"

[king_of_egypt]

Atem was a bit surprised when he was approached by the eccentric spellcaster, but help could often come from the most unexpected sources. "The plot hook? Yes, well... to put it simply, one of my familiars is a puzzle that's able to be manipulated into different shapes. I thought it could only be formed into a falcon, or a pyramid but when I was fiddling with it the other day I found a third shape, only that's when I realized it was missing a piece."

"... based on the negative space I was able to guess what it might look like, and word came to me that the shape can be found on this Obelisk.... so that is what I'm seeking now."

[gender_neutral]

"Alright so a seek and find quest. Very well. What can you share with me about the nature of this missing piece, physical, magical, or otherwise?"

[king_of_egypt]

"Precisely," On the surface it all sounded very easy. "It's likely metallic with a bronzy-golden hue... Let me call Horus back so you can see for yourself." With that he summoned his bird back to him, leaving Capricius to search on his own for the time being. When the falcon, landed on the ground it hopped around and bobbed it's head a few times.

"See... it should look like this..." Then he kneeled down letting the bird hop into his hand before he spoke to it. "This will just be for a moment." Understanding the meaning, the bird went oddly rigid, looking more like an inanimate object than a living thing. After manipulating the pieces into place, he showed V the part that was left open as a gaping hole.

So it should look something like this, though the color, and design could vary if anything was etched onto the surface or otherwise.

[gender_neutral]

V considered and nodded. "And it has been stated by a GM or trusted NPC that it needs to be the EXACT piece and a mock up that we fabricate ourselves would not do?"

V has seen odder than a familiar turning into a thing that got rearranged. Seriously. the Order Of the Stick has handled some really odd stuff, it's kind of their schtick.

[king_of_egypt]

"No, it hasn't..... but I have a feeling that it must be the genuine article." Unconsciously, he reached for the Millennium Puzzle that was hanging from a chain around his neck. He knew this puzzle wouldn't have worked with a substitute, and he doubted the Millennium Idol would either. Then he returned the Idol to it's falcon form, and gave it's head a pat.

[gender_neutral]

"Very well. It would not be worth XP if it were that easy. And the clues lead here. You have me for a wizard. What is your class?"

V just didn't want to be told at the end "well any old bit would do" after dozens of panels of work.

[king_of_egypt]

"That's one way of looking at it." Atem allowed before answering V's next question,"I haven't given my class much thought."

[gender_neutral]

V fought the urge to make frustrated noises that would not render well in print. "Well are you better at hand to hand combat and absorbing damage? Healing? Dealing damage from a distance with weapons? From a distance with magic? Working through nature? Sneaking up from behind to steal from people or sneak attack them? Please for the love of all that is sane do NOT tell me you are a Bard."

[king_of_egypt]

It was hard to hide his amusement. It's not that Atem wanted to be difficult but V could get so frustrated over so little. "I could engage in hand to hand combat if necessary, I have some skill with a sword, and horseback riding. My healing skills are lacking.. but I do have some magical abilities." Listing his credentials as if he were taking this as seriously. "I've been studying glyphs since I find the versatility of them appealing."

"... I couldn't see myself stealing from anyone, nor engaging in dishonorable conduct as you suggested."

Then he chuckled. "Definitely not a bard."

[gender_neutral]

Not a Bard helped, but hand to hand, swords, horsemanship AND magic? That... sounded like disturbingly particular grouping of skills, and then paired with what he said about rouges...

"You're lawful good, aren't you?"

At least he wasn't wearing blue....

[king_of_egypt]

The smile never left his lips. "I like to think so." Those classifications were quite similar to the ones found in Monster World. He wasn't entirely sure what was causing the unease, but it wouldn't surprise him if V liked to dabble in grey areas.

Funny you should mention blue.... Blue was usually a part of his wardrobe in some way, whether it was the past or future.

[gender_neutral]

"You're a Paladin...." V said, defeated. What was it with Paladins in the storyline lately?

[king_of_egypt]

"I can think of worse things to be called than that," Then with a teasing edge he added,"I hope that doesn't mean you've decided to retract your aide."

[gender_neutral]

"No no, I still need the XP." Still, he was not V's party leader. Would never be.

[king_of_egypt]

"So do you have any thoughts about the markings adorning this Obelisk?" Still waiting on Capricius to return after spotting the symbol in question.

[gender_neutral]

"I have expended all the instances of read magic that I have prepared for the day," V said apologetically. "We could take a long rest and I could trance, if that would help?"

[king_of_egypt]

"A rest might be in order..... since admittedly there isn't much to do before Capricius returns."

Permission to meta for comedic effect? (something canon for V's world that is a narrative shorthand)

[gender_neutral]

V nodded. "Very well." V settled into a sitting position. "I shall trance, if you shall ensure that we are not attacked?"

Sure, go right ahead.

[king_of_egypt]

Said with a faint smirk, "I think I can manage that." ... Considering that it did not appear as if they were in any danger at all at present.

Awesome. HEH

[gender_neutral]

V nodded again, settled in. "do you happen to have anything you absolutely must do while I trance other than resting yourself and guarding?"

[shiningkindness]

Soon enough, Fluttershy arrived, riding on Ballet's back as the whale swam through the ground with Tango right behind. The familiar slowed as they drew closer, coming nearby and allowing Fluttershy to slide off and approach Atem.

"Hi, Atem," she said. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

[king_of_egypt]

The motion alerted him to her approach, and he turned to greet her, offering up a wave and a smile to go with it.

"Fluttershy," Atem voiced, "No, I haven't been waiting here long." Then he looked to her pair of familiars in turn. "I should be thanking the both of you for joining us too."

[shiningkindness]

The two familiars both gave a response; Ballet a low rumbling noise, and Tango a series of clicks and whistles.

With a smile, Fluttershy then glanced structure that stood before them.

"So, how do we start?"

[king_of_egypt]

He took their answering calls to be a good thing, even though he hadn't the talent for conversing with other people's familiars.

"Well, I already sent Capricius and Horus to look for the symbol... I was just sort of.. waiting for them to return." Which kind of sounded ... lame. His familiars were getting to have the lion's share of the fun just now.

"It's a large surface for them to cover, and once they find it.... well I'd like to have a look at it myself."

[shiningkindness]

Fluttershy nodded. "Okay. Do you want me to send Tango and Ballet out too? That way they can cover looking on the ground?"

[ahew_kha]

Observing everything that happened in the place and not interacting directly had always been more of her style unless it had become necessary. And she wouldn't say she wasn't intrigued by the idea of a puzzle piece of some sort hidden on these grounds and perhaps it would be a time to get familiar with more people than just those that evidently had some sort of connection towards her.

The obelisk itself was certainly an impressive feature and she's barely catching herself almost straining her neck to see just what can be seen towards the top. And almost tripping, but catching herself just at the last second with a soft embarrassed cough.

Ah, there he was, easy enough to pick out from a distance.

"Admittedly, this was not the type of thing I was expecting to see in this place. But anything remotely familiar is something I'm willing to take." As a good sign, she supposes. Or something she should be involved in examining.

[king_of_egypt]

"I'm beginning to think that nothing would surprise me if it appeared here." Atem turned towards Kisara finding his thoughts drifting more to any concerns she might have over his own. All of this was still fairly new to her, and he hoped that she was adjusting well. Still- he needed to curb that initial inclination somewhat before it became smothering.

"... and this one is supposedly the 29th of it's kind." He looked aside to survey the horizon just to see if you could see any of the other obelisks in the distance. "I wouldn't have thought this sort of structure was so popular on a world outside of our own."