A Seeking - (Kyle)

Doctor Kyle Martin finds himself standing alone and skyclad in a vibrant green forest. This is not the rainforest that he remembers. The air is colder against his skin, with a sharp, northern bite. The leaves of the trees around him are oak and maple, interspersed with lively evergreen.

Kyle can feel the life energy pulsing around him and the chirp of hidden birds takes on a strange sense of urgency.

He is standing before an ornate stone archway. Beside it sits a wolf, similar to Kupale but much much larger. She turns her head to look at Kyle. "It's about time you made it back here," she says, sounding amused.

Kyle has a momentary thought of Yoda telling Luke he didn't need weapons going into the cave. Not only was that doubly true here but his Avatar had already taken care of that. He turns slightly giving the wolf with eyes matching his a nod & equal smile.

"Nothing promotes growth like dealing with a murder, Nephlandi, & Mirrorshades, let alone doing so with so many other oddballs & the one I'm closest to provides other challenges entirely. But those things are unavoidable & rewarding, much as this. Anything to say before I see what you have set?"

The wolf's tongue lolls out in canine laughter. "Oh, you don't get to blame me for THIS one, whelp. It should be entertaining to see what you've created for yourself here."

She rises to all fours, stretches, and settles back down. "Remember, I can advise but I shall not interfere. Proceed when you are ready."

"Who said I blame you? I will always be facing myself in these in a way. It is good to know you hav my back in some way though. One thing before I go. Don't feel these are our only times to chat."

With tat he enters the Arch attire conforming to the reality beyond.

The arch leads Kyle deeper into the forest. There's a distinct sense of familiarity to these surroundings, as though Kyle has been here before. Perhaps, in some way, he has.

What started as a clear, distinct path becomes less so, as the trees grow closer together, their thick leaves and branches blocking out the sun. Thorny plants surround him, catching at his clothes. Eventually the plants on either side seem to entwine together, blocking the path entirely.

Kyle pauses. centers himself with a breath & closes his eyes opening & scanning through his mystic senses looking for a third option other then giving up or smashing against the wall. The wall might not even be there. 'your eyes can deceive you' & all Isaac would laugh at this mental Star Wars mood I'm in.

OOC Unintended but I'm rolling with it because makes sense & fun.

The barricade appears to be tangible. It stretches easily across the path and beyond, about seven feet high. The thorns are sharp to the touch. Ouch!

This is why Kyle perfers almost full coverage rugged clothes in the field. He wraps his hands & simply climbs the hedgewall. Pausing at the top for an overview, going to ground if the other side is clear.

Kyle does manage to get on top of the hedge, though it almost gives way under his weight. The path is clear on the other side however.

(OOC: Very lucky dice roll, man. Damn you.)

The path continues for approximately two miles until Kyle reaches a large clearing. In the center of the clearing is a large, grey tower, with no overt features. The tower is surrounded by a deep, dark moat. The moat stretches about twelve feet wide.

Kyle can see a faint flicker from beneath the water. The moat is not empty.

OOC yay dots in Athletics Hail the RNG! IC Kyle circles the moot & tower looking for enterance /features. He DOES Not do anything to disturb the water.

The moat appears to go all the way around. There are no other obvious features.

He'll gently cast a silver dollar into the moot like an offering at a wish fountain, back from the edge & wait.

Is he wishing something, or thinking something at the time?

<If I have to chance nudging something I'll damn well be polite about it. As for a wish Please don't squash or drown me, not joking at all>

Nothing appears to happen.

Somewhere, Kyle hears a familiar, amused voice. "Where did that coin come from?"

"So you are entertained by this trek good. As to the coin call it a manifestation of my good will, optimism, a mental symbol I hope that you appreciate. In this place I could do it by magic or lucid dreaming. A necessary skill for a mage is creativity anyway. <bemused sigh> So is not being above asking help Any advice my guide?"

"Surely your creativity doesn't stop there, whelp." The wolf sounds languid. Perhaps she should have been a cat?

" Oh for crying out loud Kyle! this in part your mental world! Wake up! Don't think small. If you need a ladder & door you can damn well make them!" One self administered dope slap later he envisions an entrance slightly up the tower wall & an anchored ladder on the diagonal from him to it. Set up this way so nothing ever touches the water.

OOC The wonders of sleep!

It takes some time for the ladder and door to take form, but gradually they do.  Kyle is able to ascend without an issue.

The door opens into a grand hall.  There are four paintings on the wall and no obvious way to proceed further.

Each painting shows Kyle himself.  The first shows Kyle in a professional setting.  He is in his lab coat, wearing a stethoscope and gloves (definitely not latex).  Behind him is an examination table, patient lying unseen.

The second shows Kyle in robes, surrounded by the symbols of his Art.  There is a faint animal cast to his features. His arms are outstretched as the elements themselves answer his call.

The third shows Kyle with a woman and two children.  The scene appears to be the children's bedroom as they are tucked into bed.  The woman is bending over one, her face hidden by her long red hair.  She is holding Kyle's hand, however.

The fourth shows Kyle standing alone on a path, looking straight ahead.  There is nothing notable about his clothing, which seem ordinary, or his surroundings, which are shrouded in gray shadow.  Kyle is not shadowed, however.  He is illuminated, as though by a hidden light.

There is an engraving etched large above the paintings.  The first letter lines up with the edge of the left most painting, the last letter lines up with the edge of the right most.  It is written in Quenya: "Mana nalyë?"

To his Avatar. If the question is "who am I then I can answer now but do I read it correctly?

"You're the Quenya speaker, whelp." The wolf says. "Do you trust your interpretation?"

"Then I will give my answer."

Stepping to the first. "This is the part of my life from before I Woke. Now it is largely a veil for the mundane & not me in deeper truth."

Before the second. "this is how Sleepers & indeed some Magi see me in my working but it is not truly I nor these Arts yet their purist."

Before the third & with a hitch in the voice. "This... is what I could be to others, but whether not it comes to pass is neither solely choice or even half in my control. It is not my greater truth.

Before the last "This Is my choice to walk my Path of Thorns to the Path of Gold Always growing & seeking yet never lost. I walk in shadow & dark but I will ever carry light."

He reaches out to the image...

"Well chosen." The wolf says. "You have met and surpassed each of the three obstacle which you've met before. You have shown endurance, creativity, and self-awareness. Now, it is time for your true test."

The painting transmutes into a doorway, which opens into a large throne room. To Kyle's eyes, this throne room is too large to have fit in the small tower.

There is a man on the throne. He is white haired, but strong and hale. The air around him seems to grow colder with each breath. "Hello, seeker." The man says, his voice deep and rumbling. "Within these walls is a maiden in need and a monster who holds her captive. It is your task to find them both."

There are three doors leading in different directions from the room. Two seem to be staircases, going up and down. One exits out into what appears to be a courtyard.

"Then I begin here. Are you sir the monster or maiden or am I the monster?"

The man chuckles. "I shall admire your courage, rather than take offense at the accusation of maidenhood." He gestures toward the doors. "Proceed with your search."