Filraen Ghaun |
"Oh? I'm not the only one who has decided on a preferred fate for Xin-Shalast," Filraen replies, looking pointedly at Gabrielle, "I am simply the first one to make my intentions known."
"Besides," Filraen sweeps his arms wide, as if to encompass the entirety of the Pinnacle of Avarice, "Karzoug still lives, against my advice might I add. Someone will need to remain as warden of both of Karzoug and Mhar. I have much to gain here, longer aims to further in safety and seclusion. It is much to my advantage to operate from the peak of the world; unlike the two of you, thousands of leagues do not hinder me."
Filraen's smiles mirthlessly as he lowers his arms. "Why did you think I invested so much time and effort into enchanting those three rune giants? As a present to Zarta Dralneen? To decorate my office at the Acadamae?"
Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher |
Lady Gabrielle tilts her head to adjust her glasses, showing that she is about to respond.
"I have very little interest in the city itself," she says. "I have full confidence in your ability to ensure that this Mhar does not threaten anyone, and I trust you to not be overly ambitious in your arcane research."
"My intentions, if I must declare them at this juncture, are to preserve works of astounding beauty and historical significance. And at the risk of crucifixion, I cannot forego the opportunity to return to civilization with enough precious materials to rescue my home from annihilation by credit. I intend to keep the residents of Margeride out of poverty."
Filraen Ghaun |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (19) + 36 = 55*.
Filraen cocks an eyebrow at Gabrielle. "So you only need a permanent, two-way teleportation circle in order to loot the place?" he asks suspiciously. "If all you want is gold, I can ferry you up and down the mountain myself, or make Karzoug's former apprentice do it."
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 and Sense Motive: 10 + 36 = 46.**
As he speaks, he glances sideways at Ceoptra.
Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher |
The Lady taps her foot on a gold floor tile. "Laborers will be necessary. Although, I imagine an elemental can handle these," she says in consideration. "Regardless of the method, gold is rather heavy, and I know of no breed of oxen that can handle the journey. Moving the recovered items and metals across the continent would be most efficiently accomplished with a teleportation circle, am I correct?"
Filraen Ghaun |
"Ignoring the vast quantities of gold required to actually make the teleportation circle and that you would need one at each end, doubling the cost, nevermind that you have no greater claim to every last speck of gold on the mountain than Morgrym or I... still no." Filraen reaches into a pocket and pulls out a black handkerchief, which he allows to unfold. However, rather than dangling partway down his arm, it drops all the way to the floor where it pools a bit at his feet.
"Because I own a portable hole."
Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher |
The Lady looks surprised for a moment, then lets out gentle laughter. "Once again, the use of magic bypasses the difficulties. Perhaps I should delve into a wizard's tome myself once this is over?" she asks rhetorically.
"For the time being, though... might we set the elementals to work? And could I borrow your hole?" she asks.
Filraen Ghaun |
"Unfortunately, my elementals do not possess teleportation magic. Perhaps you should see the shaitan about organizing his workforce once they arrive?" Filraen looks to his other companions. "Provided Morgrym and Sheila are amenable. I believe we also owe the Vekker family some of the wealth we accrued here."
Morgrym Anvilstrike |
"The number one thing I'm worried about is riddin' this place o' corruption. If we can do that without tearin' it down, great. If not, well ... och. If not at all ..." Morgrym has a grim and concerned look about him with that last sentiment.
"As teh compensation fer the Vekkars, aye, they should get a piece teh make up fer the time their family spent in illegitimate shame. Maybe a bit o' education an' comfort. Nice and deservin' folk, them, if a little simple."
Filraen Ghaun |
"Corruption is a vague concept. Corruption according to whom? Measured by what metric? Any of us, except perhaps Sheila, could use magic to determine if there is innate evil present within the walls of this structure. If the bricks and mortar are not inherently evil, will that satisfy you?"
Pointing north, Filraen continues. "What about Mhar Massif? There is undeniable evil there, where a Great Old One slumbers. The World Thunder is beyond even our considerable capabilities. We are like gnats to it. What would you do with that, an undeniable evil at the pinnacle of the Kodar Mountains?"
Lowering his voice, he concludes, "I fear you are setting yourself up for failure if you attempt to eradicate a concept from a geographic location. Short of the utter annihilation of the mountaintop and the Great Old One within, I fear that is beyond all our grasp. Much of what Karzoug wrought can be turned to good. His wealth can be used to help those like the Vekkers, who can be uplifted from their stations. It can be used to protect against things more terrible than even Karzoug himself, like Mhar or the aboleth masters of Azlant. To annihilate it would be... wasteful."
Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher |
"It appears that keeping this being imprisoned is of primary importance," the Lady muses, gently waving her fan as she thinks. "I have so objection to leaving Filraen to handle that."
Filraen Ghaun |
"That it secures Mhar and Karzoug under my direct supervision is of ancillary significance to me in wishing to remain here," Filraen admits, shrugging apologetically. "It is a task I am happy to perform, because I enjoy my continued existence, but I would desire the use of this place regardless."
Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher |
"In that case, our next step is to begin gathering our gift to the Vekkars as well as appropriate historical pieces to be studied," she says with a conclusive tone. "Lady Heidmarch, were there any particular pieces that you have been looking forward to spending time with?" she asks.
The Clockwork GM |
Sheila considers for only a moment before responding, "The Society should collect this strange device the Denizens of Leng were manufacturing. Also, the artifacts that Karzoug wielded should be secured for study. I believe there was a glowing golden orb, and the gold-armored woman wielded a sentient sword? I'm sure Karzoug himself possessed other magical artifacts on his person."
Filraen Ghaun |
"Absolutely not!" Filraen barks, menacing Sheila. "I will not tolerate the Ten having their hands on any of Karzoug's artifice! They've demonstrated themselves too irresponsible to possess such things."
Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher |
"The revelation that an Old One is sleeping beneath the mountain leads me to suggest that we do as little as possible to disturb the larger magical fixtures of this place," Lady Gabrielle says, in a calming voice. "That Leng device, in particular. I would imagine that the pieces of historical significance will be much more interesting to Society's researchers, as well."
The Clockwork GM |
"All the more reason to take the device as far away from here as possible," Sheila replies. "Besides," she continues, sneering at Filraen, "I do not trust him with it. Who knows what he really intends with all of Karzoug's relics. He continues to amass the deposed Runelord's allies..." she trails off, leaving her audience to infer her meaning.
Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher |
"It is my understanding that these allies are not enough to pose a threat to any neighboring countries, if that is your worry," she muses. "I have never been one to imagine Filraen the conquering sort. Unless you do instead to carve a piece of the world for yourself?" she asks Filraen.
The Clockwork GM |
Hey guys. I haven't seen any movement on this thread in almost a week. I think it's time; we've all got other stuff going on. I'm going to shut it down Sunday. If you want to get any last-minute character epilogue/wrap up material in before then, go ahead. Otherwise, on Sunday I'll post a GM wrap in this alias, and consider that our road's "end".
Morgrym Anvilstrike |
I agree. I'm not sure this party will ever really agree how to tie this place up, and I've made no secret of the fact that I'm not a fan of pbp. I will miss the RP with you guys though. Morg's final thoughts:
Morgrym turns looking out over the mountains. "I trust 'im more than I do the ten, which isn't sayin' much, but still." Morgrym's brow deepens more "I need to head off to the Vikkars to make arrangements for their equal share of the city's riches. I may or may not return." Morgrym turns to the party, still cross. "I nae trusted the lot o' yeh, but we took down some evil here. Don't make me regret it." He looks more specifically at Filraen. "Sheila's right teh be concerned. But she's wrong teh think that the ten will be any better. Don't make me come back up here, Fil. If I have to, I suspect I'll be comin' fer yer head."
Morgrym evaporates and flies down the mountain.
Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher |
"Morgrym, you were certainly the most pleasant dwarf I have ever had the privilege of knowing," the Lady says with a goodbye curtsey.
"Now, regarding the matter of the jewel-laden throne..."
***
in before the closing! Good times everyone!!!
Filraen Ghaun |
Damn, it's been over a year since we finished this. But I found this when I was transferring files off my soon-to-be-decommissioned gaming PC to my shiny new file server, and wanted to share. In case any of you guys are still running around out there - I had a blast, and still look back fondly on our Road to 20. Good gaming!
Grunting with effort, Filraen places Karzoug's golden throne on top of a pile of other valuables. "That's the last of them," he declares, stepping down from the ten foot diameter pile of gems, golden artifacts, and valuable artwork Gabrielle and Sheila have claimed as their and the Society's share of the wealth of Karzoug the Claimer. "That should leave just enough room for the circle..."
Stepping back, Filraen begins tracing diamond dust around the pile of valuables, careful to keep to an exact measurement only his mind's eye perceives. After almost ten minutes of painstaking work, with his former companions looking on the whole time, Filraen completes the circle and retrieves a scroll from his belt, commanding the magic stored within to complete his task. The circle flickers like a dying flame for a moment before flaring vibrantly to life, then going still. The contents of the circle disappears.
"Just the two of you left," Filraen says, indicating the area where the treasure once stood with his head. "Off you go to Heidmarch Manor, and from their back to Taldor."
Sheila frowns as he steps back. "You are not free to do as you please, Filraen Ghaun. You still serve the Decemvirate."
"I have never served the Decemvirate," he replies. "Now, it is time to go."
Sheila steps into the circe behind Gabrielle. "The Ten, and those loyal to them, will come. The Occulding Field is gone, and you cannot hide in your fastness from them. Their eyes see all things; even magical wards cannot hide you."
"That remains to be seen," Filraen replies, his tone pompous and his smile fond, if overly familiar, "It is time for you to be gone." With a sharp command in the language of magic and a gesture, he cuts off Sheila's retort with the command word of the teleportation circle. In an instant, the great hall of the Pinnacle of Avarice stands empty but for it's new permanent resident. With a gesture, the door to the throne room is pulled shut. He scuffs the circle with the toe of his boot, permanently ruining the magic and sealing off the last entrance to Xin-Shalast. "But not today."