"Jan," the green-haired man says. "Call me Jan. You?"
"Name's Krezen" - the half-orc replies.
Jan looks back down into the pit, and then around the room.
"Do you know where we are?"
He takes out his staff and taps one end on the floor. He looks the half-orc up and down. "You're not from Senara, are you? It's not a big town, and I'd recognize most of the people from there... that's where I was, before I was... well, here. Wherever this is."
"I do know it was magic that brought me here. What sort of magic, I cannot say. I remember... I remember a rather crafty tiefling reading from a scroll, and then I was here."
"Not from Senara no" - he shakes his head - "I'm from... Somewhere else" - and shrugs.
"I have no idea where the hell we are, but that tiefling you talk about I know - bastard lured me with an offer for a job, and turned pretty much the same number on me to get me here" - he shakes his head in disgust, maybe at having been tricked - "Now, why he would do that, is beyond me - did I hear something about us killing him..? Or 'them'..? How messed up is that?"
Jan looks up at the ceiling... and around the room.
"Do you feel that? There is an energy here... I can't explain it."
"But we are on another plane of existence. I cannot say which one, but judging by the speech we heard on arrival, this may be what is known as a 'prison demiplane.' I don't think that's good."
"Another plane of existence..?" - the half-orc ponders Jan's words for a few moments - "Perfect..." - he grumbles, but presses on with more questions.
"Quite the hole we've been dragged into. I gotta say though, a place like this, in spite of all that" - he points at the pile of corpses - "Is pretty amazing"
However, another noise comes from the southern corridor. Slowly but surely, a large, shambling creature covered in dark moss traverses the floor towards you...Jan watches the creature approach warily. He looks it over.
Jan considers the creature's words.
"Newcomers? I suppose we are. You couldn't tell us where we have arrived, can you? And allegiance? Until now, my only allegiance has been to freedom... which is ironic, considering what this place seems to be."
The half orc's hand returns to the shaft of his weapon, ins spite of the fact that he had been warming up some to Jan's attitude. The arrival of the monstrous creature put him on alert again - "Entrapped I guess is the key word here" - he chuckles in spite of their situation - "And nope, no allegiances. Are there others here, alive ones I mean?" - he adds, motioning with his head at the pile of corpses again.
"The bodies in that pit hath been yonder a long time, I know not how long for they predate mine arrival in the Pyramid."
Jan frowns and looks back towards the pit.
"How long ago was that? They should have gone rotten by now, I would think."
"Whither hath thou arrived from? "
Jan thinks for a moment. "I suppose it does no harm to tell you. I come from a town called Senara. If you don't know where that is, it is in the north-east part of a country called Cheliax. If that means anything to you."
Also, some faint footsteps gradually become audible in the corridor to the north.
Jan turns and faces north, seeing what he can make out.
Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
"I just came from Sigil, you know? The big, round tire like thing?" - Krezen pipes in - "Was some places before that, but I don't think it matters much right now" - he turns around to the north, where the steps are coming from - "What matters is what is coming our way - any idea what that may be?"
Jan looks back at the plant creature.
"You mentioned allegiance. What, if you don't mind me asking, is yours? Does one typically ask strangers their allegiance in this place?"
"New arrivals? [then to Hathnor] Hathnor - is Zomnor of your allegiance within the schism of the arboreans?"
Krezen stands back as a veritable host of strangers heads their way - "That's a mixed bunch" - he chuckles as the others approach.
When the arborean inquires the others if they know them, he comments - "Doubtful. At least I do not know any of them" - he does nod a greeting toward the group, then turns back to the arborean again - "You are leaving?"
Having been addressed, and thus seen, Yessai drops all pretence and stealth.
Yessai calls openly, her overlarge blade sheathed at her back.
"Ho! New arrivals! Has Kravakoss brought you here?"
"Well met" - Krezen replies, opting to leave his weapon at his back also for the time being - "If you mean the bastard tiefling with the squealing voice, then that is a yes" - Krezen grumbles - "I am Krezen, and this is Jan"
"I am known as Gemheart" says the golem-looking man with metal skin and crystals jutting out. Adding to that is the fact that his entire heavy armor is made of crystals and four two-handed weapons affixed to his body, it's safe to assume this one is a warrior.
"Well met Gemheart. From what I hear you guys were also stranded here then?" - the half-orc nods, taking note of the warrior's unusual aspect and armor - "Been busy 'sowing chaos' in the Pyramid?" - Krezen chuckles.
"Yes, we are trapped until we kill the master of this demiplane. Sowing chaos, I think not. I think of it more as chipping away at a block of stone until the sculpture beneath emerges. Yet, we've a long way to go."
"Indeed, the Pyramid of Shadows is heavily factionalized, and loyalties are a common inquiry."
Jan looks at the plant-man. "Indeed? Well... I have to ask. If the people here do not age, and don't need to eat, nor do they need to worry about shelter... their needs are met. What is their to argue for? Do people here fight out of boredom?"
...they see an array of figures: a catfolk, half-elf, a forgeborn, a dragonborn, a Githyanki, a tiny flying fey-creature, and another arborean...
Jan eyes the strange collection of beings warily.
"So! Which of you are Player-Characters?"
"Greetings! Well, I see this Pyramid accepts all kinds. I don't think I have ever seen such a group assembled."
"...I should go."
He turns towards the western corridor...
"Farewell then, friend. I hope we will meet in peace the next time we come across one another."
Jan thinks to himself: That was quick. Does this Zomnor fear these others? Or does he seek to betray them to someone?
"If you mean the bastard tiefling with the squealing voice, then that is a yes"
Jan nods, agreeing with Krezen. "I had not heard the name Karavakos before today, but we heard the voice of a Tiefling when we arrived. This same tiefling was the one who tricked me into being sent here."
"Are you certain there is no way out? I am needed back home, where I come from. Others are counting on me and, well... I can say it actually could be a matter of life and death for them if I am not there."
"Yes, we are trapped until we kill the master of this demiplane. Sowing chaos, I think not. I think of it more as chipping away at a block of stone until the sculpture beneath emerges. Yet, we've a long way to go."
"The soul of Karavakos was split in four, of which one piece resides in the body of the true Karavakos..."
Jan listens carefully to the explanation. He thinks for a moment, and turns to Gemheart.
"So killing this Karavakos or setting him free both would allow us to escape. If so, why is it you choose the former and not the latter? I admit Karavakos is hardly my favourite person right now. But would it be so bad if he were set free? If I was returned safe and sound to my home I could let bygones be bygones."
"That's a lot to take in" - Krezen comments - "Though, from my end I would prefer to ease his way into the Deadbook" - he grumbles - "Let's call it 'setting things straight'
"Though, from my end I would prefer to ease his way into the Deadbook"
Jan shrugs. "I'm not saying I object to your notion. I'm just not the type to hold grudges. If I get back home, then there's more or less no harm done, not to me at least."
"If I were in his shoes, trapped here, and needed the help of outsiders to escape, would I kidnap those people and have them try to set me free? Perhaps, perhaps I would. So if things are made right, I don't see that I can judge him for that."
"Gotcha" - Krezen nods - "We can agree to disagree" - he displays a fanged grin - "And don't try to convince me the guy is 'asking for help' - this is much worse than whatever conscription I've ever been in"
"He is in control here. His splinters are keeping us from getting to him, because he wants them dead before he is. Maybe someone could convince one of them to stand down. I am not a diplomat."
Yessai waves her hand swiftly, whether in irriatation at the turn of the conversation or the conversation itself is not entirely clear. Her manner however is friendly.
"We have destroyed one Splinter. Perhaps its essence fled to the original, perhaps not. While here we have been harrassed by another that bested us - a foul shadowy creature in a library - upstairs? I admit my mind is easily frabjated by this irkzome realm." Yessai's shoulder's drop as she laughs briefly, her open countenance and smile easily at odds to her gith facial features and direlock's accoutrements - archaic gith armor, ornate finery, grandiose mantle and the blade at her back.
"Besides - Splinters, Original, demons, madmen. So many frustrations herein, and as Jan says, all for naught. Many times herein I have tried the route of sensibility and reason, but the denizens either perfer to stay and fight for their patch, or fight through chaotic disposal.
Yessai considers the newcomers.
"Please - join us - we have no cause except escape, and have managed to navigate much of the Pyramid without falling to overbearing fealty or become a leaf in the... Deadbook. We travel to the Trash Ruler's zone, a queen of Otyugh's - perhaps she can provide more information."
"Perhaps now with more numbers we can best the demon. I would hate for our travel in this realm be devoid of meaningful treasure."
"And don't try to convince me the guy is 'asking for help...'"
"Well, he certainly takes without asking, that's for sure. But I can't say I've never done that. Not entire people, mind you."
"He is in control here."
"Is he? Then why all the factions? It seems to me that nobody is really in control."
"But you haven't answered my question. Why is it so important to kill him rather than set him free, when either outcome would release you? Does it have something to do with why he was imprisoned here in the first place? Why was that?"
"Please - join us - we have no cause except escape, ..."
Jan looks over the others each in turn. He thinks for a moment.
Eventually he shrugs. "Why not? I have no other cause at the moment, and there is strength in numbers."
"It sounds like this is a dangerous place, so give me a moment."
A look of concentration passes over Jan's face, and suddenly polished wood seems to spread over his body, a lighter tone than his skin; perhaps pine. Soon it has covered most of his body and forms a suit of armor.
Jan looks at the others. "What? All carpenters can do this," Jan winks.
"as in control as anyone can be in a prison. But he keeps the factions playing against each other. And as for why, i dont know another way to get out. He drew us here, so i'd rather not let him be free."
"Please - join us - we have no cause except escape, and have managed to navigate much of the Pyramid without falling to overbearing fealty or become a leaf in the... Deadbook. We travel to the Trash Ruler's zone, a queen of Otyugh's - perhaps she can provide more information."
"Oh you can count on that - I'm joining you guys for sure" - Krezen steps forward - "Even if it has not been easy for your recount, you have made some progress - I like that" - he smiles.
"So 'Trash Ruler' you say?" - the half-orc proceeds with pragmatism - "Lay it on me - what do you know about it? And will we be looking for any particular piece of information? Or generic questions?"
"I seem to recall the trashlord's domain to be some kind of trickery involving moving doors or platforms, chutes and such. I have taken some blows to the head and have forgotten much."
"The Trash Ruler, also known as the Charnel Lord, the Carrion Chief and the Otyugh Empress..."
"She sounds delightful. No doubt she's quite charming in person."
Jan looks around. "Shall we then? Which way?"
"Yep, we can get on our way" - Krezen nods at Jan, taking a second look at his wooden armor - "Nice trick"
Turning his attention to Sorjla and Gemheart again, he presses on - "Ok, so maybe the Trash Boss has fallen under some sort of enchantment, I got that" - the half-orc's pragmatic attitude making him ponder the issue further - "Even so - what do we want from it? Information about anything in particular? Or perhaps dig to try and find how it can help us get out of here? Releasing it from this enchantment?" - then he pauses momentarily - "In fact... Does it even 'speak'?
Yessai ruminates awhile.
"Essentially, Thoraska wanted information about the Trash Ruler. Perhaps she wishes to conquer its territory, or deems it a threat. Much of our headway has been gained from visitning various "petty rulers" and eking small favours or information about the whereabouts of this or that, or building our knowledge of Kravakoss."
Yessai indicates the arborean, Hathnor:
"For example: The ruler of the Arboreans I persuaded to give us the aid of Hathnor - partially by proving that if he didn't, he was thereby to be considered the least of our patrons, they who had gifted us Hozela the dragonborn and Sorjla the grig. Rulers must have ego it seems, and pride forms at least a part of that."
Yessai sums up:
"So, we found out what "she" knows about the Pyramid, other factions and the Splinters of Kravakoss, and we find out about her for Thoraska."
"Ok" - Krezen nods - "So we don't want to go in guns blazing" - he considers - "Let's see, it seems otyughs like... Trash. Anything else anyone can think about that could be interesting to her? Jan?"
"Or maybe that is what we need to find out"
Yessai holds out a cautioning hand.
"A trap lies on the floor, [indicates an area of the floor by pointing her blade] and an otyugh waited within. Whether it waits still inside I do not know..."
"Thanks for that" - Krezen nods at Vassekh - "Guess I'm not paying attention - wouldn't have noticed it even if it up and bit me in... Whatever" - he chuckles.
"So you think she is below? Shall we announce ourselves? You think she will give in to flattery?" - he winks -"I don't know much about Otyughs, but I know they like to eat - maybe we can play that angle?"
"I don't even know if they understand speech, though what is normally the case may not be the case here."
Yessai looks at Krezen as the half-orc considers the information and responds.
"I do not think this one below is the Trash Queen. It seemed more like aome kind of waste disposal mechanism. [ here makes a sour face ] Where we are the waste. I think the Trash Ruler is elsewhere, and to my mind might also hold court much as the Arboreans and Thoraska does."
The githyanki pauses momentarily before adding:
"Of course, I may be entirely incorrect..."