A Magic Circle on the Floor

Molsalkisa’s ritual spell for finding hidden passageways turned up nothing. So the whole party started investigating the room. Then they were luckier than they anticipated; they found three magic bags and two magic chests that were enchanted to hold more than their physical dimensions implied. They decided Jonah and the twins would get the bags, mostly because they’d won them in the games everyone played to decide more often than the others; Ariana and Ulnarka got the chests, which Jonah mostly suggested. With the new bags secured, and an agreement by everyone to divide up the treasure equally after leaving the dungeon, which still seemed a ways off.

After spending a few minutes filling the bags and chests, the party found what looked like a dormant magic circle taking up most of the floor space of the room. “Molsalkisa,” said Ulnarka, “do you recognize this kind of magic circle?”

“Not yet,” said Molsalkisa, “it seems to be an older design than I am currently familiar with. I’ll spend some time studying it to figure out what we have here. If I had to guess, based on the structure of the floor we are on, it is probably either some kind of protective magic circle or an older style of teleporation circle. But we’ll still need to wait for my analysis to be sure of what it is exactly.”

After a few minutes of studying the circle and muttering to herself in every language she knew in the same paragraphs she was using, Molsalkisa came up to the rest of the party. “So, what did you learn?” Inquired Jonah.

“Yes,” said Molsalkisa, “and it is indeed an older teleportation spell. I think I can reactivate it, but it will take some time. That said, I won’t be able to reset the target coordinates without knowing the navigational language and methods that were used when the circle was established.”

“As long as it gets us somewhere else,” said Trisha, “that’s fine, and if it gets us out of this crazy dungeon that’s just a bonus.”

“If you need some assistance,” said Marsha, “my sister and I are willing to help.”

“As am I,” said Ariana, “something tells me it’s going to take a bit more magical power than one individual can provide, regardless of their noticeable aspects.”

“Alright then,” said Molsalkisa, “let’s get to work. Follow me.” She gestured for the three women to come and assist her.

**************************************************************

The better part of an hour later, while Jonah taught Ulnarka and Oriana how to play Rock-Paper-Scissors and Tic-Tac-Toe, the four magically inclined women finally managed to get the circle active and glowing.

“Well,” said Trisha, coming back to collapse next to Jonah’s back, “that took longer than anticipated.”

“Alright,” said Jonah, “everyone take five minutes to catch your breath and get a snack; after that we’ll be making use of the circle as a full team.”

“Probably the best approach here,” said Ulnarka as she finished making a left-leaning diagonal set of zeroes to win her game with Oriana, then drew the line through it to show her victory. “Your strategic thinking still needs work, Ms. Scout.”

“Whatever,” said Oriana as she wiped away the playing board with her gelatinous hand, then got up.

“Everyone, grab your gear, and check it,” said Jonah, we’re out of here in five.”

After the four casters took a few minutes to recharge, everyone grabbed their bags and other carrying items, and made sure all their gear was properly secured before they all stepped into the central part of the circle and Molsalkisa started her arcane chant to activate the teleportation effect. A moment later, they were all back out at the front of the temple where it all started.

“Let’s head back ot base,” said Ulnarka as she began to lead the way.

___________________________________________

Just as everyone was approaching the ruins that Molsalkisa had been using as a base before Jonah and the twins arrived, the water of the beach on the island shifted as a new figure approached the island and climbed onto the sandy tropical shore. An athletically built anthropomorphic shark woman with CCC-cup breasts and features resembling a Gray Reef Shark looked around the beach before muttering under her breath that she’d been instructed to the location, then made her way into the jungle with the stride of a woman on a mission.