Karethas has been listening carefully but his interest is peaked by the mention of other outsiders, "Other outsiders? Of what type? Did Nex invite them in, or were they unwelcomed guests like the effreet?"
Varkata nods at Karethas' questions, "If they're trapped as we are, and of a good nature, they might be allies against the Efreet."
The flames in the skull's eye sockets twinkle with amusement. "Invited perhaps, though that changed quickly. Nex cannot take full credit for Kakishon. Even Nex’s magical might was not sufficient to the task of world-shaping such as this. A tiny demiplane might be created by any of a handful of archwizards, but this was to be something more. Not just a world within the palm of his hand, but one that could be reshaped and reformed at a whim, to be anything and everything he desired."
"To create this malleable reality, he enlisted the aid of one of the ancient creator races, the Proteans, the embodiment of pure chaos. Only they could create and sustain the mutable universe he desired. The Proteans were intrigued by the project and readily agreed, relishing the chance to test their skills and the extent of their powers, to create and shape and form and destroy and recreate yet again, over and over, and their creations delighted Nex, successively approximating his grand vision."
"Finally, the archwizard was satisfied and the Proteans made ready to leave, only to discover they could not. They were trapped within the world they had created. They sought to tear down the world they had made to find it would not unravel. Nex had bound their services with the aid of shaitan genies, the most devious legalists throughout the planes. The proteans happily signed the agreements, with no intention of honoring them any further than they wished; in their mind, the foolishness was that of anyone who expected them to abide by such agreements. They did not know that those genie-wrought contracts had been reinforced with Nex’s magic, and every creation and recreation of the mapworld of Kakishon had only bound them more and more tightly to the will of Nex."
"They remain inside and outside the map, but I would be very cautious dealing with them. They are not evil, no. It is something else- wild and unpredictable. They won't recognize any alliance long and you must be forewarned that Creation and Destruction are one and the same to them."
Karethas nods, stroking his chin with his forefinger. "I have read the creation myths that mention such creatures, though I have not seen any writings of a conjurer that has dealt with them directly. The planes they inhabit are said to be very difficult to survive." Karethas seems lost in thought as he ponders possibilities and implications. "Inside and outside the map? Are they not constrained to this demiplane? Could they alter it to allow others to leave? Or must Nex be the one who orders such a change?"
Kzrira continues to listen, becoming more and more confused as the discussion switches to Proteans and making demi-planes and whatever else was discussed.
"They are bound here more than any other by their contracts, but I expect they could simply unmake the part of Kakishon around you and free you from this place. They likely would not stop there though... They would seek to destroy it all and begin again."
"The Proteans exist in the mist-realm beyond the edge of the world, a place, if you could call it that, known as the Isles of Not."
Karethas wonders, mostly to himself "If they unmade it, would we just be deposited in the plane that contains the scroll? So Golarian? Or would we go elsewhere?"
After a moment he looks back up at the wyrmskull, "I've been wondering a couple of things since we entered this room. One, is this Nex's crypt? I thought he disappeared? No reports of his death reached our realm. Second, he was a traveller of the spheres, and fought Geb. I always assumed he shared my aversion to necromancy, yet it seems that this chamber was designed with your pedestal in a prominent place. Did he raise you? How did you come to be here?"
Karethas begins to feel that he really should have stayed in school...
"Good questions," the big skull says enthusiastically. "I really am enjoying this conversation."
"This grand tomb was to be the mausoleum of Nex the archwizard. As you can see, he is not interred here. The true fate of Nex after his final confrontation with Geb is unknown even to this day, but if dead he is, his resting place is far from here."
"While it is true that Nex hated Geb the Necromancer, it is not quite true that he hated that science itself. I, unfortunately fell in battle with the great Eater of Magic. Nex was distraught at my death for we were close companions. He returned me to the semblance of life as a wyrmskull guardian to watch and await until the time that he might return to rest."
So it sounds like our options are to align with one of the Shaitan, who are known for manipulating their agreements, or to find victims of the Shaitan, who would most likely not even make agreements...I am beginning to understand how the efreet came to be trapped here for so long...but what of the gnolls who were here when we fist came how did they come to be here?
"The gnolls were Jhavhul's soldiers and slaves that fell into the trap as well. Those that escaped their masters hid in the Serpent Isles. Those that remained in the palace did not survive the bored efreet's cruelty long."
Varkata blinks as she tries to run through the options in her head, then, finally, she asks, "Do the Shaitan -- either of them -- even have the power to send us home as they claim? Or will they simply force the Proteans to do it? After all, if they could send us home, shouldn't they be able to escape this place."
The skull moves back and forth in something approximating a shaking head. "Ah, is that the reward they have promised? Not by themselves, but shaitan are great inventors. If they captured a Protean, it certainly might be possible. I doubt the shaitan want to leave Kakishon honestly. From what you have said, they are focused on contesting who will rule it."
Kzrira looks bewilderedly from the dragon skull to her companions and back again as the discussion shifts from Proteans to Shaitans to gnolls and back.
So, you think that whether we choose to side with one Shaitan or the other, we will still have to work with these Proteans anyway?
"The Proteans are the most certain way out as far as I know," the skull agrees.
Varkata chuckles, "Trust the Shaitan to promise things they can't deliver. At this point, I'm tempted to try to talk the Proteans into unmaking their little realms.." She quickly holds up a hand before Karethas can speak, "Though it'd be tragic if the rest of this were lost in the process... even by accident."
She sighs, "Well, the visions and divination certainly seem to have held... though I can't say I'm feeling any more sure about what to do next."
As she listens, Kzrira's mind wanders back to the strange dreams she had in the palace. Suddenly something dawns on her.
Why would we have had dreams of this place? I dreamt of this mausoleum, and of the kitten, as though something was attempting to direct us here. But these dreams were while we were in the palace. Who would have caused these? You? The proteans? The shaitan?
The dragon falls quiet for a long moment as it considers Kzrira's question. "I don't know for sure. I have heard it said that some cats may have ties to the world of dreams. Former familiars often lose most of their special powers when their wizard dies, but the Well of Tears was meant to serve as a point of contact to whomever is buried on this island. I suppose it is possible that Spooky retains a connection to his lost master through it and contacted you on his behalf."
Kzrira continues to scratch the cat's chin:
Is this Andrathi's final resting place then? If he has died, what happened to him? Perhaps we could investigate where he lies to see whether there yet remain tools that could aid in our exiting this realm, and also in fighting the efreet. Perhaps we could also take his remains back to Golarian so that he can be buried in the land of his birth.
"A nice sentiment, but you've already seen all that remains of Andrathi; he is that dark stain upon the doors of the mausoleum. Jhavhul and his soldiers finally caught up with the wizard here. Andrathi put up a good fight, but finally fell to the efreeti warlord's fury. At least he did not suffer. I suppose that cat is all that remains of him now."
Varkata says, "Since we're here and are in a position to ask, what do you think would be best for this place? That we leave the Shaitan to their petty battles and hope that they neutralize each other? That we aid one to bring peace? Or that we deal with each of them... leaving things a great deal more quiet?"
Kzrira also adds a question.
And, what of you. You are still the soul of a good and noble dragon. Would you remain here? Could you return to Golarian? If we could take you with us, would you prefer to stay in this land with its rather unusual denizens?
The voice takes a weary tone. "What you do is your own decision. I offer no counsel. I died long ago and the wait for Nex has been tiresome, but I was created here and cannot leave. I would honestly welcome the bliss of oblivion should the Proteans win out and destroy what they have made. If Nex should one day return and I have gone, I trust he can remake me to serve him again."
Kzrira looks to her companions shaking her head:
So, the decision is between several lawful, but apparently mad with power, shaitan. Or, intelligent, but completely chaotic proteans. Doesn't sound like much of a choice. At least with the proteans, I would expect the unexpected whereas with the shaitans, we would have to continuously watch our backs for underhanded backstabbing.
My vote would be to at least approach the Proteans and see what they can do.
Varkata nods, "Both the visions and the Drunken Hero directed us here for a reason... And while visions have plagued me all of my days, I tend to trust the voice of day-old ale. So, as much as I'd like to strike down the arrogant dirt-genies, I say let's cut out the middle...er.. genie."
Ok, so the plan is to find a way to organize chaos. No problem . . . right?
Varkata chuckles, "I think we're pretty good at chaos ourselves. "
"It seems to me that they will be fundamentally untrustworthy, which is not a deal breaker. In fact, they will understand that we will need all our provisions of any deal completed before we meet any of their demands. Likewise, we will know that anything they request of us will need to be examined very carefully for it's potential consequences."
The floating dragon skull nods. "I will wish you good luck then. Before you go, I have some things that may be of use. I certainly do not need them. They are offerings left from long ago." The horned skull drifts down toward the dais and a hidden door opens and a chest floats out to settle once again in front of you. Within are two wands: one of marble and one fashioned from gold and lapis lazuli. There is also a small jade box filled with sticks of rare incense, an opal pendant, and 100 platinum coins from ancient Nex.
"The wands hold spells of stone shape and restoration respectively. They are the most valuable objects in my little hoard. Keep them close. They may save your life. Now good luck once again. I have quite enjoyed your company."
Varkata takes the wand of restoration gently, "This is, indeed, of great value. Thank you."
Amir bows at the skull and as the group takes its leave muses out loud, Think the boat knows how to get us to the Proteans?
As Amir mentions the location of the Proteans, she turns back to the dragon:
Is there a particular location where we should direct the boat to get to these Proteans?
Karethas sighs, turns towards the skull and rolls his eyes, "They never really pay attention when the subject goes beyond stabbing things with pointy objects." He turns back to the others, "He said it before, the 'Isles of Not'."
The skull laughs again. "Ah, you're listening better young wizard, but missing the true meaning. The Isle of Not is Not an Isle or even a place, at least in Kakishon. You can command the galley to take you there, but I doubt it will work. I suspect that the Proteans are already aware of you and will let you know how to reach them when they are ready."
With that, the great brass doors of the tomb swing shut once again. You move back down the hill through the monuments and dead trees to the pier where your shining galley awaits. As predicted, the ram-headed helmsman does not respond to the commanded destination of 'Isles of Not'.
Varkata mutters, "Blasted thing left us with another riddle, and I'm not totally sure this one hurts less than the last.." She sighs, adding in an exasperated tone, "...and I have no spirits to inspire me."
Amir rolls his eyes at the wizard, I'm not as smart as you but I'm not an idiot. I heard what the skull said, I was musing about whether the boat would know how to take us there, which clearly, it does not.
Amir scratches at his chin then moves to the smoothing of his moustache, Should we wait here or make our way somewhere else? The skull seemed to think the Proteans would reach out to us...
Amir's query is cut off by a strange occurrence; suddenly all color fades from the world around you. Sky, sea, grass and golden galley become shades of black and white. An albatross in its usual black and white though its beak is now only gray, soars down and then clumsily lands on the pier. It whistles and clatters its beak as if to get your attention before it runs all the way down the pier before finally getting enough wind under its wings to get aloft and soar high into the sky once again. You note that it has left something behind.
Kzrira, noticing that none of her brave companions have moved since the albatross arrived, walks over and looks at what was left behind.
Perception:
If it does not appear too dangerous, she will pick it up.
Kzrira disembarks onto the monochrome pier and approaches the object left by the bird. It's a large white egg. It doesn't look dangerous, but as Kzrira picks it up, it begins shifting through shades of gray and though its size remains the same, its weight keeps changing.
Only the message inscribed upon it remains the same- The Isles of Not do not lie in any Sea, but are islands nonetheless. They are long forgotten, yet they can be found by any who look within.
Kzrira brings the egg back to the others:
The Isles of Not are not in any sea? But are long forgotten? Then, where are then? In the sky? In a lake? What does within mean? Within the soul? Within an object? Perhaps the Proteans are on Isles within some object and are trapped there.
She pauses. And, come to think of it, does it seem strange that they are called "Isles" rather than islands? Does isle have some other meaning? I have heard of Aisles, in shops for instance, but doubt that it is that type of aisle.
Karethas motions to their strange surroundings, "I think we are already on the path." Looking at the egg in Kzrira's hand, he notes the inscription. He nods at the egg,"Crack it open and lets all look within."
Kzrira hold the egg out to Karethas.
You should examine it first for magic. Then we can crack it. Just cracking it seem too easy.
Karethas finds that the egg detects as moderate to strong transmutation.
Varkata says, "Given our last island arrival, probably wise to finish healing everyone before we start smashing magical eggs to peek inside. "
Kzrira nods in agreement to Varkata's recommendation.
Karethas waits, showing only a little impatience, while Varkata finishes healing the others.
Once everyone is healed, Karethas carefully cracks the egg on one of the ship's railing.