June 25th is again hot as you continue to follow the trail up a steep mountainside. Through breaks in the trees you occasionally catch dramatic vies of the valley below. The West River seems to have been reduced to a narrow blue thread from this vantage point.
Finally, late in the afternoon, the trail ends, and you emerge from the woods and onto a 200' wide plateau at the base of a 500' tall cliff. To the south is the valley of the West River and beyond that the snow clad mountains that were once the northern lands of the Dwardarf, before the dragons and evil humanoids drove the dwarves out. To the north looms a barren peak of snow and stone.
The plateau and the cliff appear to be just a little too straight, a little too level and a little too vertical to be quite natural...
As you contemplate the sight you become aware of a half elf walking towards you from the base of the cliff. You watch in silence as he approaches to speaking distance.
"Ah, Malbar, you have returned," he says with a smile of recognition.
"I have indeed," the warrior replies, then turns to you. "This is Ivyoak, the Guardian of the Greyhawk Gate."
He turns back to the half-elf.
"We seek to pass."
"And you may do so," Ivyoak replies, "I know that you and who you would have accompany you will do the Gate no harm. Do you need assistance?"
"I doubt it," Malbar answers, then explains to you, "The Greyhawk Gate is a portal between Earth and Oerth. It opens naturally only at the Solstices on Earth, or when Celene is full over Oerth. However, it can be made to open is certain spells are cast upon it. What are they, Ivyoak?"
"Those spells are: word of recall, astral spell, gate, wind walk, transmute rock to mud, chariot of Sustare, rope trick, blink, dimension door, passwall, teleport, move earth, phase door, vanish, wish, maze, shadow door or alter reality."
"Do any of you spell casters have one of those in your repertoire?" Malbar asks.
Lo says, "I am no spell caster," as he nods to Malbar. "Nice to meet you, Ivyoak, I am Lo," he says as he extends his hand to the elf.
Ivyoak nods and smiles at Lo.
Darian nods to Ivyoak. "Greetings. I am Darian Trist."
Ivyoak nods to Darian.
"I can cast a dimension door. Is it that truly all there is to it? And do the same list of spells work on the other side?"
"Yes and yes," replies the Guardian of the Gate.
Orlon nods, "The first four spells are within my reach."
He asks Malbar, "Do all of these spells have to be cast at the same time, or is there any time delay allowed?"
"Only one spell is needed," replies Ivyoak before Malbar can open his mouth. "It will open the Gate for about ten minutes."
"I have already prayed for 'word of recall'," Orlon smiles. "Must I use it in a specific way, or just cast the spell regardless of my designated destination with the spell?"
"Cast it on the gate," Ivyoak says, pointing at the cliff.
"Occa, I'd suggest you and I study this place well so that we may teleport here directly in the future."
"Excuse me, Malbar, but was this area made by someone?"
"Perhaps."
"Darian, I have been exposed to ESPers in the past, so I welcome your abilities. Can you tell me more about them? As every time you use your power, I feel a slight tingle but it is elusive. Is there a way to bolster one's ability to control or gain this 'psionics' that you talk about?" Lo asks.
Darian shrugs. "I believe we've had this conversation before and I haven't learned anything new since then about my psionics. When you had more of an accent, you talked about improving your chi. I've been told to improve my\ intelligence and wisdom."
"Well, now that I have recovered my memory, I see that I need to improve those abilities you have mentioned. The magic pools that Occa took me to helped, but has not as of yet unlocked the power inside of me. Have you done anything to improve your abilities?" he inquires.
"No, there is nothing that can be done to my knowledge. You can make your psionic power stronger by gaining intelligence or wisdom, but that can only be done by some magical force. I used the pools and Occa has been wishing me to become more intelligent and stronger to allow me to overcome my limitations as an elf in becoming a more powerful fighter and mage. So far, it's done little to affect my psionics."
"Fascinating," he says with a smile and a nod of his head.
"Malbar, you wouldn't happen to know of any psionic teachers in the nearby vicinity of Castle Greyhawk?"
Malbar shakes his head.
"How about any psionic teacher, anywhere?"
"I do not," he answers, "As you know, on Oerth, psionics are considered...less acceptable."
Darian chuckles and rubs his hair. "I'd honestly forgotten about that, Malbar. Very few people on this world seem to know what the streak in my hair means that I no longer hide under my cloak as I once did."
Darian sighs and pulls the hood up over his head. "I suppose I shall have to hide it once more."
Malbar nods.
"Did you know I was psionic when we first met?"
Malbar scratches his head.
"I don't remember," he admits, "Not that it would have mattered. I'm fairly liberal for an Oerthling."
Orlon casts word of recall, on the gate, as directed.
The entire cliff face seems to shimmer in the afternoon light, then it becomes...translucent. The rock seems to darken before your eyes.
"Thank you, Orlon," says Malbar, "And farewell, Ivyoak."
The druid waves, and you ride after Malbar. Reaching the base of the cliff, he rides into it as if it was not even there, and disappears. With some hesitation you follow.