[semi-open] I can show you the world, shining shimmering splendid

[disdainfully]

Who: 1. Everyone that Thorir knows | 3.-4. Open to all with a reason to be inside the mountain | 5. Open to everyone!
What: Exploring the Lonely Mountain and then happening upon a portal to the ghost zone.
When: 3rd of October, daytime
Where: Las Vegas, inside the mountain; the ghost zone; everywhere the ghostzone leads p much
Warnings: Probably skeletons and general souvenirs left by Smaug.



Their little group has been inside the mountain for a while now, cleared out some areas and set up camp. But so far they have firmly fenced themselves off against the larger part of it - just that there is no dragon in it anymore doesn't mean that it is safe otherwise. Perhaps the earthquakes and general dragon devastation has damaged structures, or there are other dangers down there... after all there came monsters with Oublie.

And you can get lost. Right, Liam?

Anyway, this is the state of the dwarfelfhumanbirdandsoon group when Thorir decides that they have to see more of the ancient homeland.

SEE THREADS BELOW.

Comments

[open] I. Tell me princess now when did you last let your heart decide?

[disdainfully]

Thorir will be out and about for a few days around the beginning of the month, asking everyone if they want to join him as he ventures down there. He'll even leave the mountain for that, so if you're friends with him and not inside the mountain he'll still come to find you!

((Tell me where your character is and I will write a starter, or write a starter yourself))

[mingle] II. I can open your eyes take you wonder by wonder

[disdainfully]

Preparations, discussions how and where they should go, last minute reconsideration, asking another person if they really need those weapons... and so on. Thread among each other, knock yourselves out, etc!

[mingle] III. Over sideways and under on a magic carpet ride (just without the magic carpet)

[disdainfully]

And off they go, deeper and deeper into the mountain... at least they have good flashlights, or they might just fall off that bridge here or drop off the next platform, and do you really want to know how deep the dwarves dug down?

And what wonders wait on the way! Riches immeasurable and the remainders of those who died when the great lizard claimed them for himself, great forges and houses hewn into the stone; and much more.

[mingle] IV. A whole new world a new fantastic point of view

[disdainfully]

And then they cross a long, long bridge without rails... and suddenly stand in front of a throne. WOW.

Visual help: Careful, gif! and just without the people.

[mingle] V. Noone to tell us no or where to go or say we're only dreaming

[disdainfully]

But then, as they turn to the right and walk a bit further... they find a portal to the ghost zone. AND SUDDENLY THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE. Oops?

Explore the zone! Go through other portals and land your ass somewhere outside the mountain! Go forth and explore etc!

[espigeonage]

Julien hadn't been seriously hurt in the attack, but he was bruised up and had splinted two long toes on his right foot. It was very annoying to realize how much he'd come to depend on his feet as hands, too, now that he could neither grip with that foot nor stand on it for long to use the other. He limped slightly, took extra athelas, and focused on his physical complaints instead of letting himself worry about why his lover had started acting odd.

But he was a cheerful bastard, and he'd put some leaves into a boiling kettle, so when Thorir came to call at the suite Julien shared with Isabela Julien smiled broadly and could not help but poke at him. "Gwannas lû and! I wasn't sure I'd ever see you by daylight again!"

Julien had been to the cleared area with Killian, and been attacked by Killian's cat, but he hadn't been back since Refined Shell.

[youngestone]

Holy shit.

[Killian just. gawks]

[disdainfully]

[That's a good way of putting it. Thorir just stands behind him and... basically does the same.

Wow. ...That is just a bit oversized.]

I'll say we found the throne.

[disdainfully]

"It's surprisingly nice down there, you should try it. The air isn't half bad, either." He'll bat at the attempt to poke at him but otherwise stand relaxed. It's been a while since they got the chance to talk properly.

"Have you been there since the one trip with Killian? We've cleared the area near the air vent, it's starting to look reasonable again."

[espigeonage]

Julien is still sometimes struck by the realization that he's talking to an adult who could look him in the navel, though he's gotten accustomed enough that he doesn't radiate awkwardness whenever that happens anymore. He takes a step back, defeating the temptation to poke or bat at Thorir more. "Is that so? Nah, I haven't been back! I was licking my wounds - could've been a whole lot worse, but I got a scare."

He indicates the kettle with a huge white wing. "You want any athelas? Turns out it's good steeped with peppercorns." Keeping the same tone, he continued. "I recall the wonder cousins saying the place looked uncollapsable."

[youngestone]

Yeah, maybe. This is impressive. Whoever made it was totally overcompensating.

Liam being a flake

[arrowpoint]

[Liam had been to some of the meetings, but he was waffling quite a bit on the idea of going in. One moment he wanted to go - unbeknownst to the Dwarves because of his recent memory of Gimli - he figured that he owed it to them to help them out. The other moment he really, really, did not want to go deep inside that mountain anymore.]

Do... do we really have to do this?

[disdainfully]

Or had a lot to represent. Opponents or partners that they thought would be impressed by this display.

/puts leash on

[disdainfully]

Would you rather not know what is inside the mountain and be surprised by it?

[While shoving a backpack at Liam. Here, make yourself useful and carry some food.]

[disdainfully]

"It is. The only thing that my brother's excited use of dynamite seems to have damaged so far are the blockades that the dragon must have put up." He should feel this proud over it, but... it is hard to not think of the dwarves that used to inhabit that mountain as his people, and they really did a damn good job there. "It seems safe, as long as one carries a flashlight and isn't afraid of heights and high places without rails and fences."

He considers the offer for a moment and then shakes his head. "I prefer to only use Kingsfoil when it is needed the most, overusage usually reduces how helpful a drug is.]

[arrowpoint]

[He takes the backpack, but just kind of holds it there instead of putting it on. He sounds nervous.]

I thought you said there wasn't a dragon? What else could be down there?

[Briefly the memory of the fire-demon came to mind, but it didn't appear to be this place, thankfully. Liam looks into the backpack.]

Is any of this vegan?

[moreweaponsthanyou]

[Fil is NOT, as Killian said, nerding out. No, he was displaying an completely appropriate amount of enthusiasm for the ancient? and beautiful architecture. He was also grumbling underneath his breath about certain relatives' indiscriminate use of C4. They could have damaged something! There could still be hidden damage that might not been seen now but could show up later! This was his academic future!

He also wished he had a better camera but for now his camera phone will have to do.]

[disdainfully]

Orcs or goblins.

[For example. Who knows?] There was a number of creatures in the catacombs that showed up in Locke.

[And he'd rather meet that heads on than run, really.

Also. LIAM, SERIOUSLY.] There is fruit, bread and nutella.

[disdainfully]

[Thorir will hang back to tap Fil on the shoulder at some point.]

Come, or we'll lose you. [No comments about his own sense of orientation, shush (though he feels like he'll get lost less likely in this strange place than even in Locke).]

[arrowpoint]

[To himself:]

...oooh, nutella.

[He looks back to Thorir as he puts the backpack on and checks that he has his knives at his belt.]

Goblins, really? Like in kids stories? ... What's an Orc?

[disdainfully]

[He has raised like ten kids, he knows how to make them eat.]

Orcs are vile creatures that despise all light and freedom and will murder children and adults indiscriminately, knowing no honour or sense, taking delight in destruction and death. [He pauses and rubs his head.] Or that is what Thorin thought about them. They certainly looked disgusting, not much sense for personal hygiene.

[arrowpoint]

[He looks thoughtful for a moment, then makes a disgusted face.]

Wait... I think I might have seen one of those. That's the guy who said "your world will burn" and the king under the mountain thing. He was one ugly and smelly dude. Real gross.

[A sigh, and then he whines slightly as he says his next words.]

Which is why I keep telling you guys not to do this, you know.

[disdainfully]

[Yeah sorry, Thorir will get a bit loud and forceful now. Not much, but definitely more than he would have just a few months ago.]

Would you rather have such a pest take us unawares, as we wait in this secluded part of the mountain and cower in fear from an unknown danger that might be there or not? Or abandon all the other areas of the mountain to what might only be a fear?

I'd rather meet them head-on, well armed and as prepared as we can be.

You remember one of them. They won't play fair.

[arrowpoint]

[Liam raises his voice a little in turn - in that "frustrated teenager" way.]

Well, I'd rather not go stirring them up if there's a hundred of them. You don't think that's a bad idea?

[disdainfully]

They will find us sooner or later when we start to expand the areas that we inhabit. [not "if"] So it's a question of stirring them up when we expect it or when we don't.