((Sorry for taking so long. Will try to do better.))
Campaign
"So most likely I can steal their flames, but they can't steal mine? that could be very useful. Would my current appearance scare them? and do you need to wait until we are in their world to examine me or can you get it done now?"
"Whatever I say is not certain. All I have is twisted pieces. I can only be certain when we have crossed over and I have seen for myself.
I can not see something related to your appearance. Maybe it was lost. Or never existed. What I know is that humans are at best fearful of what they do not know. They like to judge."Irine, campaign
"You think you can? Sure!"
I hand the amulet over
Campaign, Ike!
"I say we make a break for the portal. I've encountered enough delays, and it'll only hurt more later!"
Look at what that noisy guy is doing. Maybe help him with it, so that he's done quicker and stops messing around already.
Campaign
"Irene, I think I can restore the magic in that amulet. Maybe. Can I try?"
Clang clang clang keep hammering the breastplate into shape.
When I'm finished the breastplate then tsar the amulet and try to restore its magic.
With Ike's help (or more correctly despite it, since it's less of a help and more of him yelling at you to work faster and making whipping noises with his mouth as he slaps your back) you manage to get the breastplate back into shape. Sort of. It looks like the twisted remains of a car crash bent into the rough shape of an armour. But you can wear it and it's better than cloth. With the addition of copious amounts of sticky tape remains, the armour is put on. Let's hope nobody yanks it too hard or slices the tape with a sword.
That done, you focus on tsaring the amulet. It becomes big. Really big. A big lump of heavy gold, like the wedding ring of a giant. Resting on your hand. The hand of a man with a broken leg resting on a walking stick that is an actual stick. Luckily you don't end up getting hurt. You just loose your balance as you let go of the amulet and fall to the ground, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Okay, I guess no bandages for me," Zechariah muttered.
"I say we make a break for the portal. I've encountered enough delays, and it'll only hurt more later!"
Zechariah hesitated before speaking. "I wouldn't be so eager. We still have to make sure that the portal won't lead us into another trap."
"Darkstar, is there anything you need from us, or are you able to manage the portal?"
Speak and watch over the area. Keep a watchful eye (lousy pun not intended) on our surroundings and make sure that we don't get ambushed by mind-controlling octopuses again.
"We just need to step through it.
I can tell from the human bodies that they must have the portal open for a day or more. The stream of parasites preventing them from closing it. Hard to combat in large numbers. More so if they know nothing about them. Even more so if they are changed by the other world.
I believe the parasites will continue to stop them from closing it long enough for us to get through.
The area around it will probably be infested as well. Once we cross to the other side, we should go away from the portal very quickly. We can escape in the confusion while they feed on the tower and the rest of the humans in the capital."You keep a watchful eye, trying very hard not to loose it. It's your final watchful eye, after all. If you loose that, then you'll end up blind.
((I'm assuming you won't object to a bit of healing for expediency's sake, so...))
River approaches you, extends his hand and touches your cheek with his palm.
"Okay, let me try something..."You feel a pleasant warmth spreading from the point he is touching you. The pain stops wherever it spreads. Oh, this feels nice...
You close your eyes and relax.
A few seconds later, you hear something like a bark followed by hurried breathing. What's all that excitement for? Why can't everyone relax... Chill...
You calmly open your eyes to see River patting you, trying to extinguish a fire coming from you. Oh. Cool.
"Oh dear!"A couple of seconds later, River finally manages to extinguish the fire. Your feelings return to normal a couple of seconds after that.
"Sorry. Still getting used to her." he says, forcing a weak smile on his face.
"Stopped bad things. Started healing. Should be fine until I can do a better job."The only thing I got from that was that we're going into a bad place. Therefore, it's time to summon an old staple of mine.
Giant hamster ball go!
Alan doesn't really care what we do, if you didn't notice.
((Travelling in style. I approve.))
Ahh.. Unfortunately the RNG does not approve. Your foot becomes embedded in what looks like a glowing coconut. Half a minute later, the sphere disappears. At least it didn't take your foot with it.
"Oh, um, yeah, the portal or teleporter choice. I think the portal is a good idea."
"I'm in favour for the teleporter. River worked so hard to repair it. Also, I can't run."
River stifles a smile as he helps you stand.
"I understand. We shall not go through the portal if that is what you want. But before you make that choice, let me try something."((I assume you won't object to an offer for healing despite what happened with Zechariah so to make up for lost time...))
River escorts you to the room with the eggs. He guides you through the darkness and has you lay on something like a stone table.
"Close your eyes. Try to remain calm. Do not to resist. Ignore the pain."He either doesn't understand or doesn't care about the white bear problem.
A series of noises follow and you feel something like cold heavy air pressing up against your leg. And then it starts feeling like it's burning. You try to look, to move, to scream, but you are paralysed. All you can do is focus on the sensation that your leg is burning.
You're not sure how much time passes.
After a while, you regain control of your body. Your leg still feels unnaturally hot, still in pain, but not as much as before. You hear panting.
"That... took more... than expected."Your leg feels... OK. Very hot, but otherwise OK.
River helps you stand and take a few slow steps. You can walk. There's some discomfort, but you can walk.
"Leg... still weak. Try not to... push it too much. Keep the... sticky thing on leg. Use the stick."River helps support you for a few more steps until he is certain you won't fall.
The two of you make your way to the others, the click of your walking stick accompanying the clicking of his claws. You don't feel like you need it, but still, better safe than sorry.
"So?"
OOCAs a side note, I have no preference for either choice. Both lead to interesting things in my opinion. River naturally prefers the more direct approach of course, but the indirect also has its benefits. Anyway, we'll get going next turn.