Blant chan Chyfrwyster Gweithiwr

[Stratovarius]

As the two machines move about the cavern, several small and interesting details step out of the picture towards them. There is, on the floor near the river, scars and scratches, marks perhaps of clawed feet or hands. A single metal sword, long broken with rust, lies embedded in the side of a stalactite, yet dripping from the hilt is a slow passage of blood, each droplet striking the floor with a wet plop.

Lorag, peering down into the depths of the river, feels his magical sight go blank, his senses deadened and lost as they attempt to pierce the mystical gloom of the swirling depths. There is also the beginning of a rustle in the water, perhaps just the rush of water over a stone near the surface.

The dark chamber has two exits, each marking one end of the path that strolls unbidden through the centre of the cavern. These tunnels show the signs of being worked, once, long ago, but now they are crumbled and broken, passable but narrow.

[Prime32]

Lorag begins to walk towards the sword to examine it. After a moment he points at the river. "Something blocks my senses. Perhaps your shard will have better luck."

OOC: If I misunderstood and the water is just deep, ignore that line.

[PhaedrusXY]

I hate that orange color. Going to try purple.

Also, can I assume that I started with both psionic focuses? There is no reason he wouldn't walk around with both focused all the time, but I didn't mention it...

"THAT (points at the bleeding sword) is certainly unusual... " As he says this, his psicrystal returns to him and scurries up onto his shoulder, using its enhanced senses to examine the area and try to peer into the water.

"Lorag, I think there might be something under the water... " As Thraxis says this, he moves away from the river and a humming sounds emanates from a spot in front of him.

He manifests Force Screen after moving 20 feet away from the river, sharing it with the psicrystal

[Prime32]

He turns back towards Thraxis. "Oh?"

Lorag will ready a move action to levitate 20ft up while drawing his crossbow if a creature appears.

[Stratovarius]

The water glistens and shimmers, bulking as something large swims beneath it, the ripples fanning out as little waves across the surface, white chop with deadly intent. A brief break of the surface back away from the riverbank, and then a subsidence, the water smoothing flat and still. The sounds of rushing water return, the gentle, if hidden, flow of the river seeping back into its normal moments. The quiet stretches for many minutes, unbroken by any new disturbance. When they turn around, the sword is gone from the stone, but no blood trail marks the earthen flooring.

[Prime32]

Did I detect anything while this happened? Spot checks to notice details?

[Stratovarius]

The water still blocks detection. However, where the blade once was radiates moderate magic.

Spot checks tell you that the creature (near the surface anyway), was approximately 15-20 feet long, and of the same tint and hue as the water it lives within.

[Prime32]

Lorag hesitates, then goes to examine the place where the sword was.

I plan to investigate the water, but sword first.

[PhaedrusXY]

"There is definitely something swimming around in there, and it's fairly large. Would you mind using this stone on me and my fragment?"

It's a power stone of Share Pain. Prime, mind taking a couple of rounds to use it so half my damage goes to the psicrystal?

The crystals studding Thraxis' body flash briefly, and then he grows to twice his normal size.

Manifests Expansion, augmented with 2 power points so that it will last 10 min/level, using the Cognizance Crystal in his body.

[Stratovarius]

Staring at the stalactite of stone, Lorag notices no markings upon the surface, no cut or indent where the sword may have rested. It is, to all visual and tactile examination, identical to those around it. Only to those who can see into the ether does it have any difference, for magical vapours curl and writhe from the stone, producing a scent of strong emanation.

[Prime32]

Do you mean evocation? I make a Psicraft check at a +12 bonus to identify the effect. (IC isn't working for me - can you roll?)

[Stratovarius]

1d20+12=23. Strong emanation was a reference to the aura strength. The school of the effect was/is illusion.

[Prime32]

Lorag grunts. "An illusion." He continues examining the spot, trying to determine the exact effect.

[Stratovarius]

The spell seems to step outside of the normal bounds of magical constraints. It is built to no specific formula, but instead pieced together from building blocks and components, a fluid created spell, rather than a single focus.

[PhaedrusXY]

Thraxis, warily looking back and forth from the water to the sword, says "So, what do you make of it, Lorag?"

[Prime32]

Does the aura seem to be fading? Is it over a general area or is part of the stone infused with magic?

After a moment he answers "It is no spell - at least none of any kind I have seen before."

[PhaedrusXY]

"Mind using this stone on me and my fragment, when you're done studying it?"

Power Stone of share pain. I mentioned it a few posts back. I don't know if you missed it, or were just busy IC.

[Stratovarius]

The stalactite glows strongly, a bright light to the magically inclined sight of the man of metal. It matches perfectly the outline of the stone, disappearing as it touches the floor of the cavern.

[Prime32]

How large is the stalactite? Could I remove it and carry it around with me?

[Stratovarius]

It's about 5 feet across at the base and 6 feet tall. You might be able to move it, but it's fairly chunky.