[u][i]The Vaults[/i][/u]

Beyond the darkness of the gateway, bright sunlight greeted the members of the Bain & Hoyle Company. Around them the sky was a vivid blue, as beautiful as any summer day seen upon the Earth. Skyward, wispy clouds drifted. It was through these clouds that an observer would see the distortion in the otherwise pristine sky. The clouds themselves appeared to be drawn down at the ends, the cotton tails curling as if being viewed through a fish-eye lens. 

As the eye travels down from the cobalt blue, it lands first upon a great green expanse of lush earth, seemingly suspended like an island in the globe of the sky. The island of green is completely flat, its surface only obscured by brilliant flowers and vibrant grasses that sway in a gentle, almost imperceptible breeze. Below this island, rooted to its earthen base, descends an almost infinite tangle of wooden tunnels. Conspicuously tree-like, the tunnels end in clusters of spherical chambers, hanging from the passageways like grapes from a vine. 

Still further, descending along this upended tree, the sky begins to change to a deeper blue, followed by a hue of purple, then rich indigo, and at last a color that is wholly black, save for the tiny pin points of stars shining upon its face. The light from the stars warps at the polar opposite of the blue sky above, completing the orb-like effect of the environment. 

Positioned before the group as they haphazardly descend onto the soft grass of the island, a twisted monolith of stone is set, rising several feet above the flat ground. Before it, almost hidden amongst the flora, is a creature of strange aspect staring coolly at the new arrivals.

This creature stands, and his form becomes clear. He stands roughly seven feet tall, with a body that is humanoid in nature. His arms are exceptionally long, and large hands brush the ground as he stands erect. The skin of his body is covered with a fine coat of fur in a rainbow of colors, all reflecting a hue of the flowers in which he sat. His legs are deer-like, and they end in broad hooves lost behind the grass. Around his left leg curls a short tail, tufted with a bright blaze of cerulean hair. 

His face however draws the most attention. With a large, triangular head, reminisce of a strange cat or bear, the creature’s muzzle protrudes slightly. The lines upon the face denote age, and the curl of the black-lipped mouth harkens to kindness. Four wolfen ears perk up from above a broad swath of cloth that completely obscures the creature’s eyes, and a mane of the same cerulean cascades down the head and neck.

The creature raises one enormous hand. Long fingers outstretch, as if trying to encompass the group before it. Upon its hand is a mark; a crude eye painted in the style of henna. At last it speaks, and its voice is slow, warm, and deep.

“Welcome to the vaults, travelers. I see that you seek within, and I will gladly take you to your destination.”

The creature bows slightly. “My name is Vos'o'los, and I am the Keytaker.” 

The second hand reaches out, the palm raised to the sky as if ready to accept something. “First, before I take you into the depths, you must provide the key.” Beneath the cloth, the eyebrows raise. “I trust you possess it?”