Cronin accepts tea and a seat, inwardly happy that Greeg is finally in a place where furniture is built to his scale.
"I will speak frankly. We ourselves have not had visions, but an oma in our homeland has. We believe the Malsalix is causing harm to both our people and the, ah, residents of Kadralu. We have heard it said that those who dwell in the Corpse Commons may be able to help us."
Cronin's frankness may not have its desired effect.
Roko remains polite, although Cronin's statement seems to startle her.
"I had hoped that our visions of Kaima had spread, but perhaps they are confined only to oklu. We had suspected this. We oklu are Kaima's people, but she is everyone's god."
At the mention of Malsalix, her expression alters.
"Alas. Such a great evil. We had hoped that there might be answers within the Forbidden Archive, but we have been unable to enter."
"What prevents you?"
"The defences are too strong for us," admits Roko.
"We are sure there are many answers hidden there. The location of the keys of Kaima, perhaps even the body of her exarch."
Don pipes up finally, as the discussion could use some more color "So give us a crack at it, I dropped that spider pretty good, wasn't easy though, but we got more boys with us now. I dunno about ex-arks but well, that's your stuff I reckon. So what'd we be looking at if we went there and did that for you?"
Greeg nodded enthusiastically at Don's words. "Aye, getting into places is something I can do fairly well. I know a thing or two about getting past defenses as well."
He didn't mention that his usual method for getting past defenses was to trigger them and hope he was tough enough to survive before they reset. Still, it had worked for him so far.
The slender oklu's face brightens.
"To have once more the body of Sohm Parahni, greatest of Kaima's exarchs ..."
Her voice trails off for a moment.
"If you could retrieve him, then surely Kaima must be pleased and her rebirth greatly aided. Our visions from the goddess say that he is housed within the Archive."
"An interesting problem, since it's forbidden but we obviously need to go there anyway, on the other hand places that are forbidden and mean it don't really need defences by their nature as people wouldn't go there, so perhaps it's only really forbidden because it's so dangerous and people as capable of dealing with dangerous things as we seem to be would be able to deal with the dangers without too many of us dying which would make it all right to go there, and incidentally I have some magic that might help a bit if we need to find things out, assuming I can get it to work which I usually do though some of the rituals are quite new and I haven't used them before."
"A fellow scholar!"
Roko turns in delight to Guldarin.
"Your reasoning is impeccable and if you will undertake this quest for us, we can and will reward you in any way we can. "
"Well discovering new things is a reward in itself as far as I'm concerned, although other rewards are of course nice to have as well and anyway not all my companions are quite so interested in finding things for the sake of finding things, not that I mean to imply they're mercenary at all, but I must admit I'm quite fascinated by the possibility of finding an exarch, even one that passed away years ago and isn't inclined to talk, there are so many fascinating questions I'd love to ask not that I intend any disrespect to the body of course." Guldarin ponders for a moment. "Glad to help."
Bemused, Cronin lets Guldarin and Roko negotiate.
Don rolls his eye to anyone that looks.
Clearly delighted at finding a kindred soul, Roko reaches into the desk for a map.
"The Forbidden Archive lies below us. It is said to be guarded by ancient kings, captured by the Kadrana. Within may even by the keys of Kaima."
Opening a book, she shows Guldarin (and anyone else who happens to be close enough) an etching of three chrystaline orbs. One of them looks very familiar. The Key of Radiance given to you by the Xurtix of the Trignotarbs is a treasure past price to the oklu of the Cult of Rebirth.
The theme of this key is the light and energy of life, represented by the sun. A character carrying this key regains 5 extra hp whenever he or she spends a healing surge.
Greeg looks with interest at the etchings and thinks to himself "Looks just like he one Guldarin is carrying
"Oh, is that what that's for. I was going to... wait, this is one of those 'tactful' moments people keep telling me about, isn't it. I had absolutely no intention of doing anything to it, especially since I didn't know what it was and wanted somewhere safer to test it, ideally where any possible explosion wouldn't ruin anything, although I have to admit that a place that's already fairly ruined probably would have been quite suitable in some ways, I just need a proper library and some magical equipment, plus a room with stout walls, though of course," he looks slightly disappointed, "we know now what it is and experimentation would be rather unnecessary." He starts digging through his pack. "Now did I remember to pick it up?"
"You have a Key!"
Roko can barely contain her excitement.
"Would you allow me to keep this? It is truly one of the great treasures of Kaima. With it we can surely free the goddess."
Then her expression changes as she thinks things through. "No. Keep it and keep it hidden. You may need its aid in the Archive. I will not speak of this and nor should you. Some might feel that such a gift should not be in the hands of the un-visioned."
"Remind me to pick up some firebombs or somethin, case we get into anymore of those bug swarms...speakin of which, any chance you can tell us what we'll be coming across in terms of 'security' to keep us out, or do we get to guess?"
"There are traps and, as I have told you, rumours of ancient kings forced into unwilling guardianship."
"Ghosts?" He looks to the group, "Any of you jokers know a better way of stabbing a ghost?"
"Not my forte," Cronin answers. "But 'better' depends on the first option."
"If it was dead once, it can be dead again," Nayce says with grim confidence.
With gathering excitment, Roko leads the way back into the streets of the Corpse Commons. Darting behind buildings and passing through elegant gravel gardens and keeping a wary eye about her, she explains a little more of the history of Kadralu.
"When the giants became corrupted, they were already rotten fruit. Some of them had turned from Kaima in her long slumber and sought to revive the great Primordials they had first worshipped. Their great priestess, Adrasta, tried to reverse the tainting of the water. So strong was her faith that she returned as a ghost. She seeks only the revival of the goddess, but not all the awakened giants feel this way. If you return, the Cult may contact her and ask for her help. Adrasta would gladly help clear the water taint if you can bring her the armour of the undead."
Darting suddenly into an alcove, she points.
"The giants."
Ahead you see what appears to be a normal plaza, filled with giant forms. Apart from their insubstantial appearance, they are going about their day in a ordinary enough manner.
"And down there, the entrance to the Forbidden Archive."
She presses a stone rose and a hidden door grinds open, leading down a flight of marble steps.
"I'll lead, but perhaps someone good with traps should accompany me."
Greeg turns to Don and smiles enthusiastically and states "The trick with dead things is to hit them harder and faster than they hit you. Actually.....that's kind of how I like to approach all my enemies."
Don walks along with Greeg, "Sure, sure. Thing is, the longer a fight lasts, the more it favors them ghosts, since they can deal it out better than we can. Not fair, that. They can hit us just fine, despite them being half-not there, but suddenly when they get struck, it's an issue..."
"If you are frightened, perhaps we can find you a blanket or doll," Nayce says, suppressing a grin.
Don turns back to Nayce, increduluous. "I'll get one from your sister, next time I pay her a visit."
Roko looks rather bewildered by the banter.
Advancing into down the stairs, Greeg and Don see an elegant portico ahead. The whole area is well lit with torches burning with primordial light.
Nayce simply grins at Don's attempt at a jab and keeps walking.
Greeg and Don approach the portal and look in. A graceful entryway lined with graceful, if outsize, arches greets them. Apart from the five visible exits, the most notable features are a selection of well-tended statues, fiercely burning torches and a large circle inscribed on the floor.
"Alright smart guys. These statues look religious or such, so no one touch them...or that circle....torches are prolly suspect too. Just..." Don looks back to the others, "Don't touch nothing, but come in like bear cavalry if someone comes to get me."
He fingers a knife, twirling in his hand, "Got a secret here, big guy." Don leans in conspiratorially to Greeg, "Can't see too well anymore...what's your make of it?"
Greeg looks at the man beside and winks in conspiracy. He then takes a moment the check the place over before stepping in.
perception. If everything looks fine then Greeg will indeed lead the way in, taking Don's advice about statues and arcane circles
Don is the epitome of caution right now, prowling into the room. He holds a hand up for Greeg to pause, as he investigates further
Nayce looks about warily, his hands on the pummel of his oversized sword.
Don ventures further in, slightly distracted by the hissiing of the torches.
Greeg sees nothing suspicious, but the goliath thinks he can hear movement to the right.
Guldarin casts an experienced eye over the statues, but concludes that they are merely decorative. Like Greeg, he hears something approaching from the right.
Greeg signals to his friends to hold up, then let's Don know about the approaching noise to the right. He readies his weapon, hoping to avoid trouble but ready just in case.
Footsteps approach and through the right hand door, the glowing form of a dwarf clad in royal robes makes his approach. The air around him shimmers with heat.
"Please be careful which dwarf you're hitting, everyone. Some of us are alive and like it that way."
Don grits his teeth, sliding up against the statue. He bats his hand down when Guldarin starts mouthing off, and reminds himself to rant at the group for noise discipline.
Inish
Stealth!
Initiative
Greeg sighs at the sight of the fiery king and prepares for the inevitable fight to come.
The paladin is busy humming a tune he heard earlier.
Nayce steps further into the chamber and sends a hex at the ghost, hiding himself from its sight.