Day 25.3: Real or Dreaming?

So, it seems I might be the key to opening the shadow/dreamland Nightborne Maze. Really not sure I‘m ok with this.

Digging deep into her knowledge of both shadows and dreamland lore, Kiren realizes we have been in an alternate reality – key/book/gate. We need more information. Spending time looking for the book, we can only find references to it, not the actual book.

The dark parchment drawn from me was a page torn from the book – I’m not ready to deal with that knowledge yet.

Most are rituals against the Noc, some very strong. Diana makes copious notes in what time we have. Further down the hall, a glowing red gate surrounds a blood red arcane circle. Skimming around it, making sure not to cross it, Kiren moves quietly further down the hallway. Around a corner she sees two mushroom/crab like creatures. She recognizes them from beyond (where shadows go to die) – [MIGO] fungus aliens who communicate through colors. They think of us humans as cattle/animals and are completely amoral. (Might normally appreciate that but not where a kid is involved) One dead human lay on the floor next to device, its skull cracked open-which no brain inside. Another child lay shaking in terror near another device. I think I need to party for this extraction.

The rest of the party gets to the corridor (managing NOT to touch the red glowy circle) and Mutu intervenes before the MIGO can harm the child. He asks if she is in need of assistance – the slight terrified nod her only answer, but enough for Mutu. He tried to charm the MIGO with his performance of captivation. It kinda falls flat, like offering a metallic art interpretation to a bunch of shrooms. Actually, it was exactly like that.

The party lines up and although weaker in fortitude, the shrooms fight sneaky with make believe pain and constricting lashes. The party holds their own, but as Kiren is trapped, a devastating blow begins to descend, until Diana changes the playing board – literally! – when she teleports both the girl and Kiren out of harms way. They were NOT amused. The party concentrates their firs, now that the girl can’t be harmed and take them both down, but not before they get a paranoia spell onto Diana. The child clutching at Diane is shoved away during her delusion. Already terrified the child runs down the hall before we can stop her – right into the red portal.