Finneas strachs his head while listening to the orb bob about. He turns to Glimmil with a confused look in his eye.
"I guess this is Sarcem and he's back to judge Atol and Dyrant, and he's going to come with us to find out what the dwarf sent us out here to find. I think."
Dyrant's eye narrow as he continues to evaluate the Archon. Seeing Glim's confusion, he switches to Common to accommodate (and to avoid further spoiling the tongue of High Prayer by speaking it in a place like this).
"And tell us, Archon, what is your new station? What were you asked to do? Destroy more banners? Mock those in need of guidance? Why are you here?"
"Now, now, Dyrant. Sarcem seems to be attempting to make peace. Hrm. The question is, shall we return you with us and attempt to convince him you're incapacitated — and thereby getting close and incapacitating him? Or shall we simply storm the fish again?"
Glimmil beams as everyone switches to Common and he begins to follow the finer details of the conversation.
"So, the dwarf wanted us to come defeat this clockwork thing? If we go back, can it help us knock out the dwarf or belay that devil-woman so we can bring him back to his father, unwilling or not?"
It's just like when we had to knock out brother Glimzig and drag him back home to dad after that time he drank bitter lemonade all night... I'm sure he'll thank us the next morning!
The harbinger speaks in common, but still with the tinkling musical quality. "Forgive my rudeness. Celestial is now my common tongue. I think in it. I dream in it. It is wonderful."
"Hmmm. I'm afraid my new form is adquate to deal with the scouts sent out by the dwarf, but I doubt I will be of too much assistance combating the devil. However, I could bring your concerns directly to St. Cuthbert himself."
Dyrant gives a stern look to Dr. Toffitt before returning to the matters at hand.
What does he know of the angelic hierarchy? Divine understanding eludes him.
Dyrant re-dresses his queries to the Archon.
"Tell us true, Archon. What is your new station? What is your task? It is a simple question...one that should be able to answer before we speak with St. Cuthbert."
"I...do not know."
"Awaking in these tunnels in my new form, my instinct was to leave and explore the world, but our lord simply told me, 'Wait.' Anytime I considered leaving, the single word would ring in my head."
"It no longer echoes in my head."
"You know, we could probably take the temple if we go at it this time. We could sneak in maybe? There's bound to be less of them, we must have killed at least 2 or 3 of them."
Dyrant stares at the Archon for a long moment and lets his mind wander.
"You say you have a connection to our Lord, the Holy Cudgel? And he will answer your questions?"
Dyrant begins to mull over what he would know.
"Would you call upon his wisdom at this time? I would hear his counsel for I am adrift. Maybe he will guide me towards a path of redemption."
Dyrant pulls out a piece of paper and begins to jot down questions, mumbling to himself (as he no longer has Angel to speak to).
Questions for the Holy Cudgel:
- Is the task we are currently sent on to slay a great evil?
- Would it be wise to return now and storm the dwarf's fortress?
- Is the common cause of the Cauldron 5 noble and just?
- Is your Archon servant supposed to aid us in our endeavors?
- Will you forgive me (Dyrant) for my failures?
- Do you still want me (Dyrant) in your service?
"Ask those questions, Archon. We shall then understand his plan."
"Those are excellent questions Dyrant. When I was first initiated into the church, I was given the opportunity to commune with St. Cuthbert. Sadly, my questions were not nearly as good and I learned little."
I wonder what our lord will say?
Atol waits patiently for the commune to begin.
Rather than twinkling music the harbinger's voice now resembles an entire choir.
•Is the task we are currently sent on to slay a great evil?
"End the evil."
•Would it be wise to return now and storm the dwarf's fortress?
"No."
•Is the common cause of the Cauldron 5 noble and just?
"The Cauldron 5 are noble."
•Is your Archon servant supposed to aid us in our endeavors?
"Yes."
•Will you forgive me (Dyrant) for my failures?
"Yes."
•Do you still want me (Dyrant) in your service?
"Yes."
As the Archon speaks, Dyrant listens with rapt attention, his stomach in knots and his breath held.
With each question answered, Dyrant's eyes fill with more and more tears and small smile starting on his lips and moving to sobs of joy.
•Will you forgive me (Dyrant) for my failures?
"Yes."
FORGIVENESS! Dyrant openly blubbers with joy.
•Do you still want me (Dyrant) in your service?
"Yes."
SERVICE! Dyrant, still smiling, begins to dance...a full smile on his face.
"Forgiveness and service, Atol! FORGIVENESS!" Dyrant grabs Atol's arm and begins to jig, a dance of joy rarely seen save when one's entire existence has been affirmed by a God.
"Thank you, Archon!" Dyrant blubbers and dances.
"We are doing the Cudgel's work, Atol! THE CUDGEL'S WORK!!!"
Toffitt smiles and mouths at Sarcem, Thank you! He bobs his head and congratulates Dyrant as he dances.
Once the celebration dies down, he says, "Let us examine our options. If storming the temple is not an option, subterfuge might be. Archon — is that your proper title now? — would you consent to being carried in as though you were destroyed? I confess, I do not know what we would do once we were inside, since it's unclear how Zenith would have arrayed his forces."
"We could perhaps heighten the subterfuge, by pretending that I died in the battle. As you know, I can be a quite convincing corpse. However, if we were to do so I would suggest that we either make haste, or that I mix up a new batch of my tonic, since I already drank the day's first dose."
"What other ideas have you all?"
Atol, surprised at seeing his friend and mentor so happy, is caught up in the celebration and jigs around the dark tunnel.
"Truly St. Cuthbert blesses you Dyrant, he blesses us all!", he shouts joyously.
The spheres spin, but slowly, methodically, the archon lost in thought. They pick up speed again in response to Toffitt.
"Yes. Archon would suit my new existence."
"Yes, I would consent to being carried in, but I'm not sure what I would look like 'dead'."
The spheres slow again until they finally come to a stop. The light from the archon fades until it finally twinkles out. The archon drifts slowly downward until it comes to a rest on Cog's head. Unseen forces hold the spheres and jewels near each other. In the end, it looks as if Cog wears a demented metal and jewel jester's cap that drapes over the sides of his head.
Dyrant continues to dance for a while longer, as if a tremendous weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
"Come along, Cog! Come on, boy! We dance for service and forgiveness!"
Dyrant enjoins Atol in more jigging.
"What's the matter, Finn?! Get your feet moving! We have found the greatest light of all in the darkest of places!!!"
Laughing, Toffitt turns from the business at hand and awkwardly joins in, doing back flips, hand springs and triple axles around the passageway before once again settling down for business.
"I don't understand why we're dancing in a cave? We're alone, surrounded by hostiles, and that she devil kicked our butts. It's nice to find an archon and all out here, but really?"
Finneas kicks the cave wall with his booted foot.
"And I don't know how to dance."
"Glimmil, teach our half-orc friend to dance. Really, Finneas, it's not that much different than dueling. Just don't try to stick anything in anyone."
Glimmil isn't quite sure what is happening, but he finds the energy infectious and begins shaking and jiggling with the others.
"Hey! We didn't even ask the most important question! Is there someplace nearby that sells chocolate eels?"
Dyrant dances himself silly with Cog and Glim in the UnderDark until failing to replicate the Doctor's acrobatic moves and falling to the ground with joy.
Dyrant sits smiling on the ground for a few moments enjoying the jangling bells from the Archon (jingling from Cog's head), Atol's jiggery, and Glim/Cog's synchronized mountery.
St. Cuthbert wants *ME*!
Filled with a certainty that he had not felt in a long time, Dyrant smiles a real smile of joy as he picks himself up and begins slowly to regain his composure.
"That news was well received, Archon. Thank you for your gifts and clarity. Your bells peal ever truer now."
When the dancing has subsided, Dyrant will address the Cauldron 5.
"Come brethren, we have a foe to vanquish and a dwarf to save. They will not stand against us when we have the Archon to guide us!"
Addressing Cog's headdress, Dyrant will whisper to the Archon: "I would have your counsel later, Archon. There is much I would ask and know of ye."
Significantly buoyed, Dyrant is ready to move on.
Dyrant looks around in the passage as if seeing it for the first time.
"Which way were we going?" Dyrant swivels his head from right to left as he ponders, then looks to the tattered banner. "I suppose we should fix that," Dyrant says as goes to tie together the remaining ribbons and hoist it up for Atol.
"Doctor, which way was this great evil?"
Atol looks down the dark shaft and shrugs mentally.
"I suppose we go deeper. St. Cuthbert advises not going back just yet, so our way is clear it seems to me."
Atol works with Dyrant to mend the banner, and prepares to continue into the darkness.
"Well actually, we were told that it would be unwise to storm the temple. A more subtle approach might be wise, such as returning with Sarcem looking inert and me playing dead. Then trying to catch Zenith off guard once we're there."
"Or we could spend some time mustering ourselves elsewhere."
Dyrant gives the Doctor a confused look and follows Atol.
"Deeper? What if there's something worse down there? Maybe this banner is like asking us to carry butter into the Underdark? He wants to make nice with some others and we're going to get eaten for it."
Finneas keeps his sword out and follows the party, stopping to look back every so often.
"Dyrant, the great evil to which your Saint was responding was that in the kuo toa temple. Your question was a bit ambiguous on that point."
"Atol, are there any blessings you could request from Cuthbert which would help us defeat the erinyes?"
Dyrant stops at Finn's words and calls Atol back.
"Wait! What? The Archon was it?" Dyrant shakes his head in amusement. "That don't make any sense."
Dyrant looks at the inert form of the Archon.
"Uhm, well, I guess we go back."
Dyrant begins to march the other way.
Glimmil also appears confused by the whole situation.
"Wait, the dwarf sent us to go beat up on the Cuthbert-turned-Clockman? But isn't the Clockman good? And isn't the dwarf supposed to be good?"
Glimmil scratches his chin while he continues to think.
We're supposed to bring the son back to his father... wasn't the father good? If so, shouldn't the son be good? Gah, my head! Why didn't I check to see if I got the creepy-feelies from the dwarf!
"Well, if the dwarf isn't good, and the Cuthbertian-Clockman is, we need to have a serious talk with him, and tell him this isn't funny!"
I'm confused. Dyrant looks confused. Hopefully Atol knows what to do.
"Maybe, we can tell him that he made a mistake, and Clockman is our friend? -- then he'll come back with us to Cauldron?"
Toffitt's own alignment ticks towards evil as he listens to his fellows.
Breathe, Abner. Stop thinking about killing your friends. Take your hand off the dueling blade. There's a lad.
"The dwarf is not good, Glimmil. He and his followers are the great evil. We need a clever plan to defeat them. Not a stern talking-to."
"The flying devil is a real problem. I don't have anything substantive to deal with it."
Atol frowns.
"It seems clear we must fight this creature however. Perhaps we can find something deeper in that will help us with that combat? Returning after a few days won't hurt one way or another I suspect."
"And Dr. Toffit's plan is a good one. We should return with a dead companion and an inert sphere and play things by ear after that."
Suddenly Atol doesn't feel like dancing anymore.
Finneas stands bemusedly as the group turns around.
"Atol, what does substantive mean? Did you pick up some of Dyrant's fancy words while I wasn't looking?"
He begins to scratch his head, then takes of his helmet and scratches it some more.
"Seems to me all we need to do is this. Keep her in a hallway so she can't fly away, and keep tossing arrows at her so she can only shoot us with her bow. I'm sure if we stay out of the big room with the bad statue it'll be ok? Glimmil can probably spoon his way around any traps and there are whole sections we haven't covered yet."
"Do not worry, friends! If the devil woman is back, I can surely handle her. Last time, there was quite a bit going on - mists, fogs - and she seemed to like to beat up on everyone but me!"
Glimmil stands tall - well at least as tall as he can, "Just give me a chance to go toe-to-toe with her, and I can assure you guys, she will know the brilliant splendor of a knight of Garl Glittergold!"
What does that mean? Brilliant splendor? Ah, nevermind, it sounded good!
Glimmil smiles proudly at his claims.
"It sure would help if I could fly, too..."
Glimmil glances at his feet, and knows that upon his return to Cauldron, he must see about getting the Cobwaddle clan to cobble some winged shoes for him to wear for his heroic do-derrings.
"I couldn't have said it better myself, Glimmil! If only you could fly..." Toffitt looks at Atol's weirdly broad shoulders, and at Dyrant. "Maybe we just need to build you a new mount that can fly... Dyrant, how would you like to dance in the air with Glimmil on your shoulders? With quite a bit of magic, we might be able to ward you as thoroughly as you do Cog..."
"Atol, what does substantive mean? Did you pick up some of Dyrant's fancy words while I wasn't looking?"
Atol's face scrunches up with thought.
Have I changed that much already? No... No, that was just a lucky word. Yes, I still have far to go.
"Finneas, it just means I don't have anything that'll really do the job. I have a few things that will help a little bit, but nothing that will make a major change in the fight. Nothing like the Fly spell for example."
"But you do have those lovely cords. And the ability to heal Glimmil and Dyrant from a distance, as they have a chicken fight with the harpy."
Dyrant weighs the plans of Finn and the Doctor on both their strategic merit and feasibility.
"In the end, neither plan will be perfect. In reality, the best plan is one wherein the devil is never summoned in the first place. To that end, a spell that stops sound and prayer might be effective around the base of the statue. Or if we slay whomever or whatever summons the devil before it happens might be effective."
Dyrant ponders more.
"Truly, if our deception holds," Dyrant's eyes go to the Archon on Cog's head, "...we should probably see what the dwarf needs from us next. There might be other opportunities for success."
"So you suggest continuing the deception further, rather than attempt to subdue him as soon as we — well you, since I'll be 'dead' — gain his audience again? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to learn more of his plans... I agree with Finn that avoiding the large chamber might allow us to avoid her altogether."
Dyrant looks at the Doctor.
"As for you playing dead, it seems entirely unnecessary. We have a 'dead' Archon. I'm not sure what point your ruse might serve."
"Only to cause them to underestimate our strength, perhaps have fewer guards present during our audience with Zenith. But I am not wed to the idea."
"They already kicked the crap out of us Doctor, I doubt they could underestimate us any more."
Fifth: Aren't you forgetting something?
"And also, Kord!"
Fifth: Better.
Female: Stop bullying the boy.
Male: Yeah, that's out job!
Glimmil continues rubbing his chin, attempting to find ways to assist in the formation of a cunning strategy.
"Hey, Cog can play dead! Can't you boy?"
Glimmil mock swings his hook hammer in Cog's direction, who is happy to appease his master by rolling over and closing his eyes.
"I'm... not, sure that helps?"
No, it doesn't. But, it's a great trick. I could watch it all day!
"How about invisibility? Do we have any way someone could sneak ahead and scope things out? Maybe if we knew more about how they were set up? Or maybe Dyrant or Atol can just look at a really still pool of water to figure that out?"
"I do have an extract that could make me or someone else invisible for six minutes. As well as the elixir we found that lightens the drinker's step. And there is the potion of clairvoyance..."
Atol sits quietly chewing on a cracker for a while, then speaks.
"Our usual plan, and it's worked well for us in the past, is to rush in with a few buffs and slay them all. We should stick to what we know. I think we are over thinking this and getting stuck. At least I know I am."
"We cannot easily kill the devil, so we need to make sure she's not summoned or invited or whatever. Seems like the Dwarf is the one to do that. So we get into his audience chamber with our 'dead' sphere and rush him."
Atol turns to Finneas.
"If he tries to conjure or cast anything, hit him Finneas. But hold your attacks otherwise. Glimmil, you attack every round and finish him off. The rest of us will fight off whatever frog-men still exist until the Dwarf is down."
"If the Devil is summoned, we retreat to a hallway or tunnel where we have a chance of getting within reach. Maybe we levitate Glimmil and have Dyrant push him around if we have to."
"How does that sound? Simple?"
Toffitt looks astounded at Atol. Did he just give us marching orders? I... I'm impressed.
"Just two things, Atol. We will need to subdue, not kill the dwarf. I may have the greater chance of landing such a blow. Also, have you a means to silence him, so that he is unable to call his guards?"