This is a non-Campaign to Test Stuff

Game Master Tacticslion

’Still a violent assault, It may be of the mind, but no less a battle. We need to get out of here as quickly as possible. So much for the theory of a ‘cold shower.’ The cold in here doesn’t do any good at all.’ Attempting to keep his eyes straight ahead, Usawoti sees and hears more than he desires. He occasionally needs to shift Chandruu’s wings so they do not cover his eyes as the dust Mephit has them wrapped around his head.

’Need to stay focused. The thoughts of Yeye change to …something different. ‘ Patting the ring/bracelet ’Your emotions are as indeterminable as my own. I wonder if this is affecting you as much as it is the rest of us. Hopefully one of these days we will be able to speak to each other. But until then I must remain focused.’

As Usawoti’s mind starts to wander toward a temptation, Mope gives a light kick, just enough to shake loose a couple of the Mephits that are clinging to him and to right Usawoti’s mind. ”Thanks Mope, If I didn’t have you helping me refocus I’m afraid I would be laying under that pile back there. Everything else forgotten.”

As a large cavorting collection of mephits is almost flung from the mix down the hall, laughing and playing and teasing and such. Usawoti ponders ’What do they eat here? Do they just sustain on physical contact until they die of overexposure and starvation?’ Shaking his head, ”They may not want to leave, but they will never earn a name.”

’well at least their polite.’ Pushing Chandruu’s wing off of his nose and eye, back to his forhead, Usawoti answers. ”Thank you for your invitation.” He stands in Mopes saddle, the familiar feel reminding him of the reason they are here pushing away the temptation.

’They know we must press on, but they still ask. They want to feed off of us. So very different than hell, but so much the same.' Usawoti stands in the stirrups as Mope spins attempting to face the voice.

Speaking loudly so all his companions can hear and take heart ”I am no prude nor an innocent. I am no stranger to the pleasures of the flesh. But if I or any of these with me, give into the temptations of this place we would never leave. It would be our own lusts that imprison us, just as surely as if there were chains. This place is a prison and all of you are slaves to it, Your sin empowering it making what holds you stronger. I and those with me seek freedom from this place. Any who wish to join us may!”

’Is that regret?’ Usawoti shakes his head. ”There are worse ways to live. But I would not call this living. At best, it is a wet dream you will never wake from. At worst, it is a level of hell that disguises itself with a thin veneer of titillation.”

does anyone else also hear Hotel California playing in the background?

”The grave also reaches out with open arms, but I will resist it as well. No, we cannot nor will not stay. My friend has asked where this leads, will you tell us? Truth is our desire. You said what we wanted would be freely given! Where is the exit to the main shaft?”

To Inarus

Iya-iya responds, "T͞h́is woul̴d̀ ͏b͏ȩ - heh ̨-͠ ̨h̕e̸ave͜n͟l̨y, ͢howevȩr҉ ̀I hav͝e ̛m̛ade͘ a͘ ̷p̷rom̢i͘se̕ - and th̛át҉ is o͏n͏e I i̷nt͢en͡d t͠o̸ ҉ke͜e̵p." She nods, once. "U͡nl͞es̡s e͝ith̶ęr͝ or ͜both͞ ̴of̛ you w̧ou̷l͡d şt͟ay͝ he̵rę, ́I ̴sh͝a͠ĺl n͘ot̷.͘"

------------------------

To Usawoti

Options A and B are delayed, due to life

(If neither option is visible, please wait - it's due to posting issues.)

hopefully you will pull this up before you type out both options, go with 'A' since it was you first roll and you were responding to it initially. Just remember if any of the Mephits abandon their posts, no names for them!

Got it! Thanks! Option A it is!

Though severely tempted, and a few (especially the smoke mephits) begin to succumb, it is not until the voice sighs see below that the mephits almost all break under its powerful influence. After only a few seconds ~6, hmmm..., though, Chandruu, Yalagach, Agaar, and two nearby lightning mephits (wait, where did those come from?) struggle and, together, manage to stop making out, and begin to put together the hosts again.

The mephits struggle against powerful urges beyond their station to reorganize themselves, collecting even the revelers that have become entangled, though there are definite... eh, "formation distortions" that occur within the ranks. Still, they seem to be working to remain strong... or at least not entirely distracted.

The Eternal Seeds, too, begin shifting as powerful scents rise.

Usawoti's ring... blooms.

----------------------------------

The powerful presence (not quite a voice, but too much to be mere thought) responds, after a moment of silence.

"ah, it is clear that you'd be him, then" it says, cautiously, optimistically, seductively. "a pleasure, though, of course, not that way... unless you'd desire it to be" the voice says.

"it is felt that it should be clarified though" it cautions with amusement, "it was was said that 'most' anything you want" the floor surges upward (dislodging some of the revelers and who cavort continually down the corridor), almost like an apologetic shrug, "though, of course, truth is almost always something to be grasped"

There is the feeling of a large sigh as wind, hefty with the scent of desire and longing brushes past you.

"still" the concept of a voice intones, soft, despite its weight, "all living things seek to continue to live" it notes, "much less one who seeks to embody the creation of new life"

A moment, then, "but of course such vagaries are not to your... satisfaction" it says, suggestively, then, more wearily (though slightly wryly), "you are the one foretold from the earliest moments of the current 'peak' of this place - you are he who would come to devour the essence of the ruler and become its new master"

A pause.

"of course, nothing is more flexible than prophecy -
perhaps it is your father-friend, the once-demon-dragon who considers himself a former half-orc, or the dragonling so long ago barred from entry" the equivalent of a shrug runs through the floor, dislodging more members of the orgy into playing and cavorting down the hall, "but know this" it says, "though you have each been freed in certain ways beyond chains that hold the supposed master of this realm" a momentary break, then, "by following this course you shall never leave the tower"

"i am sorry" it says, almost a whisper for this presence, "you will be able to leave this level" there is a short pause, "after all, you have the essence of three layers that belong to you" another pause, then, "but you will be bound to the tower, and fated to return, to stay until a cycle has passed"

A moment, then, both bitter and wry, "and none can say how long a cycle is, save, perhaps, the gods, though they have never seen fit to share such insight with any here"

More gently, and kindly, though still amorously, "i will describe this - my best understanding of how all will turn out, depending on which you choose."

Several cries and moans and shudders occur, leaving a few limbs pointing at Usawoti, even as the floor moves, "you shall be the one who receives the greatest personal power, half-dragon" it says, "though this will not stretch far beyond these layers" a shrug that dislodges another group of revelers, then, "regardless you will be able to free many from these layers, grant many names and make a true change in many lives, and perhaps make many children who are freed to wander the earth though your chosen bride will be forever barred from being here with you for reasons that cannot possibly yet be understood" Then, "and eventually, you will pass into obsolescence, and be destroyed or replaced, the sins so ancient as to predate your people eventually returning to reassert themselves"

A different set of moans and shudders, before various limbs point to Inarus, "and you, the spirit who once wore the flesh of a demonic dragon, and now is a holy being" it explains, "you are not your own" A pause, then, "it is thus that you will receive little personal power but will instead bring a true and lasting change and will eventually permit a true transition from the sin of this device and the other three layers you are now a part of back into its intended virtue" After a moment, he continues, "you will eventually be replaced by other powers and permitted to visit your people as a vague spirit and bring life and hunger and righteous anger to them and a distant scion will be your heir one day"

A series of moans and shudders and limbs point toward Iya-iya, "and you shall gain absolute power over these three tunnels but be forever tied to them unable to leave and you and they will quickly become corrupted by the power of the sins and will become a perfect fusion of opposed forces until your power is great and the descendants of these very people will return and destroy the animal that you have become"

There is a pause, then, "in all scenarios you will gain some measure of power" it explains "enough to do as you will"

Then, "and you need not fear murdering a creature to gain such power" there is a pause, then, "for though hesitant and desirous of living" it explains, "it made this pact to live exactly as far as this point would be and is in some ways eager to fulfill the defined duty and be freed to pass on to the next life no matter what that life may be"

A shudder, then, "of course you may try to flee or change your destiny but to gain access and control over those in this layer" and it pauses, seeming to look at the two adventurers, "including control enough to free them from their current bondage" it continues, "this is the course that will allow this though there will still be a minor challenge... albeit one that can be easily surmounted by your skills"

"this is truly all i can do for you" the presence sighs, again, as before, "as you have well and truly denied my own advances and will not turn from your course"

Not satisfied at the answer of the voice, Inarus answers, ”Why would we be bound to the tower? Isn’t there a key at the top level of this place that can change things?”

”And what is prophecy and where does free will come into the equation. We are born in this world, we eventually die – but one thing all of us have, is free will, and a chance to choose our own destiny.” Inarus challenges the voice.

When the voice starts explaining the choices Usawoti has, he looks at Usawoti, ’Separated from Ye-ye? No – he would never stand for that. And that the ancient sins that he guarded would once return to his people? No. Definitely not a good idea.

When the voice explaining his choice, he feels a twinge of indecision. ’Bringing a true and lasting change and permit a true transition from the sin of this device to its intended virtue…that’s not too bad. Is this the sacrifice she meant for me to make?’

When the voice starts explaining what lies ahead for Iya-iya, he mentally shakes his head. ’ and they will quickly become corrupted by the power of the sins and will become a perfect fusion of opposed forces until your power is great and the descendants of these very people will return and destroy the animal that you have become – no I cannot let her do it.

”We thank you for your advice, Mam, or Sir? I’m not sure how to address you?” Inarus says slightly hesitantly. ”But I believe that all should be allowed free will, and we choose to find another way. We will try to gain control of this level – without harming the inhabitants to break them free of their current bondage. Do you have any advice for us for our course of action?” He replies to the voice, politely, but firmly.

earlier
’I thought the Mephits were created without gender, apparently no one told them that.’ Usawoti aware of the eternal seed shifting in his armor and looking down realized the ‘Lady’ had bloomed, ’How lovely, I’m pleased that this place has not had the negative impact we feared.’ then lifting his hand, realizing some plants bloom and then die, a little concerned, ’Unless this is a bad thing.’

During the monologue
’We need to learn more about our offered host. At least they are aware that this is a tunnel in the tower. That is more than any we have talked to before. But there are still creatures appearing to be created before our eyes, so the ‘machine’ is still fully functional. All the ‘prophesies assume we want the power to control this place. Is that what the key is. If so why wouldn’t I be able to return to Yeye, this is ridiculous. I will not be sucked into the machinations of this place.’

Now
Surprised, Usawoti give Inarus a curious look when he says they would take control of the level. Shaking his head, ”We do not take control, we have only confronted those who would resist our passage. You have spoken of the tower, you are the first to do so. We were sent for the ‘key’ of the tower. Once we have obtained it, we will deliver it to our sponsors. We will leave this tower to do so. Then we will leave this dimension and return to our own, taking those who would go with us.”

Usawoit shakes his head. ”I reject your prophesy. It is a part of this ‘tower’ not a part of us. We have seen the creatures created as fuel for its machinations. This place is neither a heaven or a hell, it is a mill that grinds out fuel for powerful magic. Powered on these sins as a gristmill is powered by water. I reject not only your prophesy, but your invitation to control this or any level of this tower and the premise that we are obliged to do so. If need be I will see this place or myself destroyed before I will accept mine or my friend’s imprisonment here.”

Shifting slightly in his saddle, Usawoti, places his right hand near the grip of his hammer. ”Let me make my request again. We seek the door to the main shaft. Point it out to us and we will depart. Or better yet, throw off your shackles and your debauchery and join us. Return with us to the world of daylight and nighttime. Join us, leaving this prison behind.” Usawoti watches carefully to see if the golden-scaled-one moves their direction.

can Usawoti identify by the shapes of the runes, which hall or extension may end in an exit?

"we see you are suspicious" says the presence, amused, though sincere, "the sign of a healthy mind"

A long, slow breath.

"your offer is generous and good" a pause, then, "but it lacks understanding of the nature of what this place and these creatures are"

A long pause, then, "the current power of this layer once presumed much as you - that freedom was as it chooses to be"

A shrug, and dislodging of people, then, wryly, "i believe you have seen the results thereof" a pause, then, "it was once from far away as well - the reason it is known here that other things once lived and what is beyond this layer" another shrug and dislodging, then, "but of course you are always free - perhaps you were not that which was foretold or remain unwilling to fulfill your portion or perhaps you have less compunction against killing than it seems to we of this layer"

A longer sigh, then, "it must be told - you will either destroy the master of this place and take control or pass through a different way - it is the pact that has bound it here for so long and that which it has waited for this whole time and what it will continue waiting for until destroyed" a pause, "the way is sealed by that which rules and is ruled by this place and only by fulfilling its destiny may any pass beyond -
it long ago bargained its will away for the sake of something it believed greater but in so doing it took the will of all spawned here with it"

A short laugh, before, "you will not control this layer without killing that one which currently is bound to it and if you do you will merely be the next inheritor of its current state -
a bargain that may well be worth making but not the one that you seek"

"perhaps" it continues, "you would prefer to return and go a different way through hellish flames or windy gluttony or perhaps fight your way through hordes of corrosive greed - you have freedom but there are also tunnels in this place and one may not pass through walls without more power than even we or you yet possess - and so too is fate where one may wish to achieve certain aims but there are rules though some are more flexible than others so that particular outcomes will be achieved within a set of variable parameters"

”No – we will not kill things to take their power. We kill only things that deserve killing. Though you’re right that we have less compunction against killing than you of this layer.” Inarus admits.

I think what lies beyond the Eternal seeds might have been corrosive greed

”You’re saying that there are no exits from here that we may pass through from here? Does this place not lead to other branches?” He asks the voice.

"the relative above is corrosive greed" the presence explains "while below lies the airy gluttony and further still is hellish flames - as none here have ever been past corrosive greed it cannot be said what is found above that"

A pause, then, "each layer has its own exit to the shaft it must be presumed though each has their own challenges as well to exit and each is different from the other"

"So would we be able to access to corrosive greed from here? " Inarus asks the voice. " Which way would it be? "

"beyond the elemental barrier - the ice that holds at bay the elementals that would steal the life force from all on this layer -
with your mephits and the dragonling you may easily destroy the barrier and will likely be ignored by the elementals who will be confused by your status as from beyond the tower"

A pause for a moment, before, "of course should they be released it can only be assumed to have been fate as they are growing even as we do and space is ultimately finite even if it is large and we have a life-cycle though they only grow - it is inevitable"

Dude, any game I ever play with TL again I will have a Cha. Based character and sink all my skills into diplomacy and sense motive!

'There has to be a better way! Everyone help me think of one. I refuse to give up on this creature. It has accepted death. We need to give it a reason to live. It is the only thing keeping this level at peace. Why can't the entire place be like this?'

Usawoti shakes his head, "It is a pity, since you were brought into this place from outside, you are aware of it's nature. The evil, the pain, the sin, the abuse of sentient beings that goes on here. Yes, you have taken this one small level and buried away the elementals. The sin of lust here is agreeable enough that the weak minded capitulate without a fight."

Usawoti looks to see if there seems to be any type of reaction from the 'wave of flesh' "You are commended for doing no harm. But what about all of the other levels. Don't you want to stop the pain and the suffering there? Why can't you be the fulfillment of the prophesy? Why must it end the way you've presupposed?"

He wait's again hoping the creature is impacted. "Let us be allies. We do not want to see the ending of your existence. But let us help you change yourself and this place, we abdicate control of our levels to you. Then we help you take control of all levels. So all may sin, yet do no harm. We can acquire the key and leave this place, taking those who would go with us. Would that not be an acceptable alternative to at least try?"

"ahah" says the presence, "more clever by half than the supposed master of this place when it first arrived"

A long breath, then "but you fail to realize what has happened since the conjoining"

There is a long pause. "what was once an independent creature no longer is and these that you see are mere extensions of the
sin they we are born to be - and extensions of that very master who has succumbed to this place as thoroughly as possible"

A heavy, desirous breath, then, "your thoughtfulness is most attractive - it is true that there is one that came from beyond but that one is no longer one but us all and removing it from all will kill it as surely as anything else - you are not at fault but simply have come across one who has primed this to be different but could not succeed as it held only this layer and no others"

A hesitant breath, then, "you may choose any path you desire but there is no one you discuss only we and we are merely extensions of a singular aspect - a fate that cannot befall the three of you anymore for your power and exposure"

A long pause. "we are your ally as much as we can be -
there is nothing else that can be done not because we refuse but because we have long ago succumbed to our base nature and have become this and nothing else - to undo this would require more power than any here have or could acquire in a time-frame two of you would find acceptable - though of course we would be delighted if you decided to spend that time and effort with us"

Amused, "it is like building a culture - taking and making is always faster and easier than fundamentally altering and often one that does so slowly becomes ingrained - and like all sin it can dominate and control in all ways - we do not mind our fate and are pleased by our long existence of pleasure but find your cause worthy of allowing that to end for your own sakes"

'How truly odd.' Usawoti bows in acquiescence, "We accept your friendship, in as much as we can and remain true to our course. May you find those who are born to you pleasing. As our ally, can you open the door to the middle tower to us. Or is that part of the process of ending your existence? If not my friends and I shall find another way to the center."

Thinking for a moment, "If we destroy the ice wall toward corrosive greed will you be able to rebuild it? If not we will go back the way we came."

"expressed gratitude and we find ourselves quite pleasing though it must be noted that you have made good points"

"opening the gate on this level is part of the process of replacing the one who claimed the title of 'master' long ago" it explains, "though if you choose to seek not the ultimate glory that this would hold for you is of course your decision"

Then, "if you destroy the barrier we may be able to rebuild it in time but it will not matter - by the time it would be complete it would no longer serve its purpose"

A pause. "you should know - there should be sixty-three of these layer-tunnels in this tower - as things currently stand there is a chance that your influence will spread"

A thoughtful and desirous sigh, "the nearest layer with a compatible sin or element or energy will have a 66% chance with a 33% chance for the next a ~16% chance for the next a roughly eight percent chance for the next a nearly four percent chance for the next a close-to-two percent chance for the next and a basically one percent chance for the last" a breath, then, "this is the rating for each of the two layers you have claimed"

Contemplatively, "much as you lack a true trio and thus fail to have truly solidified that which was given to you before you will be lacking in this tower as well - a suitable parallel it must be supposed"

A wistful pause. "as you seem to have declined your destiny we shall await the next half-dragon touched by three layers to come end our existence - for in the infinite vagaries of reality there will always be another"

"Are you saying by the time you rebuilt the barrier, the creatures from corrosive greed would come in and kill all that is here?" Inarus answers, worried. "What if we built a barrier to seal the exit after we passed through it? Would it give you the time to build another barrier?"

"And wait. If we open the gate, do we instantly become the master here or would there be some other steps to fulfil?"

"to your first query that is what we are saying yes -
i know of no barrier you have available that would allow any other outcome" it replies.

"to your second it is a matter of this - you must first consume the current master of this layer with flames and in so doing acquire the power of this layer which would merely be an act of will for any of you that none here would oppose" it explains.

"thereafter the way will be open to you - it is possible to gain access to the opening without claiming the mantle but all roads through it lead to the death of the master or more creatures as the bargain was made and we are substantially less interested in dying just so some adventurers can have a way out" it warns, amused.

"What would be the outcome then, if we divided the layers power between all 3 of us?" Inarus asks the voice.

There is a long pause, then, "an interesting supposition,
and certainly one in keeping with the bargain made" it muses, then, "one might still need to remain here lest the entire realm collapse and many lives taken with it" it says slowly, thinking.

"and i cannot say for sure what the outcome is for any but rather give my best understanding by following the paths" it continues, "but there is a great likelihood that, eventually, there will come a price that each of you need to pay,
albeit likely lessened in some way" it muses, then, "and to some extent a fraction of each fate is likely -
perhaps able to be guided toward your view of the "best" aspects of each of these three fates - certainly an option to consider and one we are willing to acquiesce to" it finishes.

"I'm glad we are of like mind Inarus, It is time to leave this place, let us find a different route." Using the connection of their minds, Usawoti confirms their agreement.

Speaking aloud "We will not divide what we have no desire to keep. Come Mope it is time to leave. we will find another route that doesn't endanger these 'sinners'

Turning Mope around, Usawoti, signaling those with him by waving his hand forward. "It is time to go back the way we came my friends and leave these to their own devices. I will not harm those who have no intention of doing us evil."

He has every intention to leave. if no one interferes he will go back to the last intersection where he hadn't explored every tunnel

Inarus takes out one of the shards and gives it to Iya-iya. "If we're doing it the hard way, we'll need all the help we can get."

He waits to see if anything changes when Iya-iya accepts the shard.

"What we're the circumstances that the current power here came into power?" Inarus asks. 'Maybe if I can see how the bargain was made, I can unravel it.'

Speaking aloud "We will not divide what we have no desire to keep. Come Mope it is time to leave. we will find another route that doesn't endanger these 'sinners'

"hah!" the presence laughs, "again, more intelligent by half than the current so-called ruler" it chortles.

Turning Mope around, Usawoti, signaling those with him by waving his hand forward. "It is time to go back the way we came my friends and leave these to their own devices. I will not harm those who have no intention of doing us evil."

"it must be noted that if you actively oppose those who intend to do evil to you that you may wish to reconsider your reasons for leaving" it responds, wryly "as this layer in particular has now tasted you and will seek to haunt you or your descendants later" it notes, "though of course there is no guarantee that it or those related to it will ever find you or learn that you were here" it notes.

Inarus takes out one of the shards and gives it to Iya-iya. "If we're doing it the hard way, we'll need all the help we can get."

He waits to see if anything changes when Iya-iya accepts the shard.

"S͜h̢i͝n͢y ҉g̀ift҉s ̷fro͞m ştr̨a҉n͢g҉e ḿe҉n̴? In ͜t͜he͟ d̛e̕ń ͢o̧f ͟h̀éav̢e̸nl̛y lu̕s̢t̀ ̨i͏t̨se̶l͞f́?" says an amused dragon, "How͞ a̕ḿ ҉I͝ t̢o͢ ̢r͞èfu͜s̶e s͢u͠c͡h̨ ̸àn͘ ̨o͘ffȩr̛?"

She accepts it and holds on to it, looking at him, curiously, as nothing happens for a moment. "I͞t ͞s̶ee͏m҉s yo͢u ̵wér̵e exp͜ect͡ing so̢m̶ethi̢ng͘ ̡el̵śe̴?" she notes, wryly.

"What we're the circumstances that the current power here came into power?" Inarus asks. 'Maybe if I can see how the bargain was made, I can unravel it.'

"you wish the tale of its story" it says, slowly, "to understand and perhaps undo"

A pause, then, "respectable" it muses.

After several nearly overwhelming breaths, it begins, "it came here as part of a pogrom to continue the will of an ancient human king it once respected - a king whose goals and desires were being corrupted by his own servants" it replies.

"unfortunately what had been done by seven hundred could not be undone by one no matter how much more powerful the one than even the mightiest seven" it continues, "a lesson it needed to learn the hard way it now laments to note" the presence explains.

"the lessen not yet learned it used its own skill taught by one of the king's mightiest apprentices to falsify its nature and so slipped into the world - being a clever creature though clearly not clever enough it found methods and learned how to slip to locations none truly knew existed and so it began to explore to discover a way to undo the mighty power"

Here there is a long pause, then, wryly, "it found the central shaft and explored several layers including one the elementals referred to as the 'dueteroterminal level' yet in an effort to understand what it would undo it sought to explore the full workings first and thus upon locating the lowest floors it found a sealed passage and foolishly gained entry into the represented level - this level" it explains. "it defeated the guardians - much weaker in those days though some were still quite powerful especially the ruler - and eventually crossed the whole floor briefly flirting with the two nearest floors before returning to the tunnel upward"

Then, "having traversed every portion of this floor it found that it had in so doing traced the full and impossible sigil and found that it had access to great power and authority from this floor" it says, slowly, erotically, "and not knowing better at the time it accepted - at the time hoping to be able to twist the power away from its malevolence into a benevolent format"

"in that moment many things were revealed to it" it explains, "moments throughout its history and suddenly the words spoken by the previous master made sense - it knew its own reign and its own fate and its own ending" it explains. "of course it fought this - in fact it worked very hard to negate its fate entirely" it notes, amused, "and yet to date all things that were revealed have been proven true -
even if they were not always as expected" it finishes, chuckling.

"in truth" it says, "the harder it fought against its fate the tighter the loop of that fate and the more tightly it became bound by that fate until it became even more like the prophecy suggested than it would have been had it merely accepted it" it sighs, though somewhat contented.

"during that time we all have used its shared insight to learn ever more secrets and understandings of this place and its power and nature and traits and future and past - secrets that are willingly shared but not for one who does not wish to become a master here" it finishes.

"you doubt prophecy - a fair and valid thing to do" it explains, "but we only exist because of that very prophecy - it was by that prophecy that we knew of a wave of elementals that would surge forth and destroy us all as just one example" it explains.

After a time, it muses. "you seek one of the seven legendary keys to this place" it says, ponderously, breathy, "to gain power over this place" it notes, sagaciously.

"this is the only way to open the path to your home but be aware - this realm is built on the principle that those that come and gain power from it are effectively sacrifices to the realm though things built here are designed to be brought forth in service to those designated by those who have built them - claiming one of the keys will likely be considered claiming the power here and establishing the one who does so as a builder and one who designates" it warns. "even if your intent is to give it to another later it may not care - you should beware how you approach it"

"if you find this obscure or insane bear in mind that it was created by creatures obsessed with magical sin who were corrupting their own virtues into sin even as they built this place and who were paranoid and certain that their fellows were out to get them - a paranoia which was justified" it explains. "creatures with more power than any of you older than all of you and with hundreds of servitors all working toward a goal of ensuring that no servitor could gain more power and escape once again with endless and phenomenally powerful divinations to ensure accuracy and the sealing of loopholes all devoted to and powered by yet sealed from divine entities of all sorts benevolent and malevolent - this is what you are dealing with" it clarifies. "the best of fortune to you in your choices and adventures"

”Why would us opposing those who intending to do evil to us give us reason to reconsider our reasons for leaving?” Inarus asks the voice.

Iya-iya

Inarus looks at Iya-iya slightly shamefaced. ”Not really, the presence of the shard completely slipped past my mind. It was as if I only remembered it at this point of time. “

”Now come to think of it…does the shard have a way of tampering with memories?” He cocks his head curiously. ”Maybe…guess I’ll never know.”

Back to voice

’Isn’t that what I wanted to do with the key? I too want to use the power of the key to change things for the better’Inarus thinks to himself. ’Is that what will be my fate should I accept the power in here?’

’Does history have a way of repeating itself? I feel as if we are tracing the ancient’s powers footsteps. This doesn’t bode well for us – he meant to do good – but it all went wrong. I wouldn’t say horribly wrong…but not right either.’

”I don’t understand – there are seven legendary keys to this place? We were told there was only one key. And if you say that there are seven legendary keys, we have already gone through 3 levels of sin – would that mean we have 3 of the seven legendary keys to the place?”

’Though the explanation of the voice is certainly more insightful from any information we’ve gathered here’ He thinks to himself.

”So there is no power that can be gained through the various levels of sin except by sacrifice? Do we need all seven legendary keys in order to open a path to our home?”

”Why would us opposing those who intending to do evil to us give us reason to reconsider our reasons for leaving?” Inarus asks the voice.

The moaning, delighted party-goers move up slightly - weirdly giving the impression of a raised eyebrow, before resettling to the (relatively) smooth endless circle of pleasure.

"it is merely this" the presence responds, "your reason for not fighting is that you presume that we will seek no evil against you - and it is true that we do not - at present - seek such evil but this plane - and even moreso this tower and even moreso each floor - is both a gift and trap and a blessing and a curse and it does not like to lose what has been given over to it" a pause, then "or anything that has once been here"

A luscious sigh. "that you have been here is quite enough - whatever will follow after me may easily learn of your existence from the eternal memory that this place holds of all that has happened inside of it and all who pass through its being - much less ones so influential as you three - and it is likely that whatever comes after me that discovers you will bend fate itself to conspire to bring you and/or your descendants to great violence harm evil corruption debasement or all of the above for its own ends" it notes, grimly. "or perhaps the master of this place will finally become the mindless savage and embodiment of naught but cold and relentless lust and work to bring you and all you hold dear back into its probably-deadly embrace - certainly not within its current desire - aside from a desire for you all - but not beyond the realm of reason" the presence explains.

"we say this not as a threat - we are as best we can be your ally in this" it mentions, "rather we clarify the nature of this place - none of us - even together - are as capable of swaying the nature and truth and memory of this place as our eventual successor - the half dragon of three layers - yet we too do as we can to succeed in our goals even if those goals have long been denied us and slip ever further from our grasp"

”I don’t understand – there are seven legendary keys to this place? We were told there was only one key. And if you say that there are seven legendary keys, we have already gone through 3 levels of sin – would that mean we have 3 of the seven legendary keys to the place?”

"there are seven but you have not collected even one - you have instead collected two of three layers" it notes, warmly. "certainly you may one day equal or exceed the power of a key in theory but in practice it is so improbable as to be absurd - akin to noting that in theory there may well be a man whose chair turns to gold merely for lighting a lamp every time but it is so for him due to random circumstance - this is a thing that may well happen but is so improbable as to be dismissed as fantasy" it notes.

"the way to gain a new key in the manner in which you suggest is to gain all nine layers of a singular sin or virtue - however with each new layer you acquire your will to fight the sin will be removed one step at a time until you are no more than a puppet of that sin - you will have gained nothing and merely empowered a singular sin within this edifice by granting it a unified puppet" the voice explains. "indeed it is not a matter of strength of will or body - each key after the first will alter and change you and there is no strength in this plane or tower - yet - that will allow a creature to go through such effects and remain yet unchanged although you have the possibility of making it so however remote and far off that eventuality may be" it says, seductively. "and that is but one key and nine layers of the same sin much less three keys and twenty-seven layers" it snuffs an intimate laugh.

"but no - what we spoke of before and what you are seeking is a singular key - a device of which there are seven - that will bind a creature to a magical virtue-sin and thus allow a great degree of control over this world" it describes, contented.

"we know this only because the master of this layer was there as it was made - it remembers its teacher - one of those who betrayed the king - speaking in supposed-secret to a colleague about such matters and together we have since come to understand the arcane theory behind it" a pause, then, "but a warning - do not seek more than one - the keys abhor each other and if brought in proximity will seek to possess and devour and corrupt and destroy all who are nearby in a vain effort to destroy its rival" it warns.

"beyond such matters as this the keys are only seven and the tower is very large and for each key removed there power and influence of the other sins grows meaning that each will have ever greater guards and wards and magical forces to bring to bear against you - if it does not kill you in the pursuit of your first" it sighs.

”So there is no power that can be gained through the various levels of sin except by sacrifice? Do we need all seven legendary keys in order to open a path to our home?”

"you have already sacrificed much in the pursuit of your goals" the presence notes, "and probably more than you realize - quite a number of things now lie dead behind you and souls and bodies and spirits and minds and memories have all been cast aside in a vibrant and living pursuit to become who you are now - and who you choose to be - and to become heroes who succeed at this quest that your patrons and yourselves have chosen to seek in an effort to become heroes instead of villains" it chortles. "indeed even those once considered friends and adventurers have perished and never returned in this quest - spirits who have never had the opportunity to create their future in the world beyond" it says, softly.

"but you are not the only one that makes sacrifices - the once-sisters of your jewelry continue to serve their demonic fungal mistresses and their servants and hordes and life force and magic and power and hopes and dreams are all being offered up on the alter of sacrifice as surely as your own are" it speaks sensuous warning. "and though you may have a minor god on your side that being is a newcomer to this place - their demonic lord has spent entire ages of mortals and incalculable sacrifice seeking a way to enter and corrupt this realm for itself -
and these are the plan it has finally succeeded at entering with" it speaks knowingly.

"but sacrifice alone is not all that is needed - will and determination and personality and intent and passion and power are all important as well and you all have these in abundance - though it is impossible to tell if this will ever be enough" the voice wryly breathes, "until of course the truth is revealed - fate is funny that way" it laughs.

------------------------
========================
------------------------

Iya-iya

Inarus looks at Iya-iya slightly shamefaced. ”Not really, the presence of the shard completely slipped past my mind. It was as if I only remembered it at this point of time. “

”Now come to think of it…does the shard have a way of tampering with memories?” He cocks his head curiously. ”Maybe…guess I’ll never know.”

"T̸hen̢ p҉èrh͢aps̸ we s̡h͡all̕ e͡x͢plo҉r͢e the ͘outcome̶s͠ ̨of ͞t͠h͜is ̨exc͟ha͠ņge i͢n t͏h̵e fu͘t́ure̢ ̶- ͏or ҉per҉ḩa҉ps nơt ̶a̵s̨ ͜w͏e ̧thi̸n͞k̵ ͝be͠s̷ţ at̨ thȩ timé -͘ ͜I̢ ͘f͏òr o̶ne̸ am b̸ec͝omi̵n̨g aw͠a̛re ́t̛ha͘t͜ ̸a̧s̵ ̶pl̡eaśąnt ̴a̷ ͜p̨l̴a͝c̕é as̡ t́h͜i̛s͢ may b̕e in ͡m̸ơśt͜ r̸es̀p͜ects ́it͢ ҉i̴s̶ ̷too co҉l͏d̛ ͠f̧o̶r̛ mỳ personal̛ c͏ómf͘or̷t̛." the dragon notes, wry grin on her face. "Th͜o̢ugh̸, ty͠p̧ìc̛a͠l̸ ̛as͡ it ̛may͢ ͢seem̕, I m̡u̢st ad͠mi̵t͏ ̶t́h̀a͢t all ͘o̷f͏ ̶th͟is has͢ m̨ade̡ m͝e.̵..̶ ̨hun̛gr͟y͠.͟" she notes, intentionally vague and amused with herself.

Mope prances in place as Inarus gathers more information, Usawoti tries to listen to the conversation, as the stallion turns and spins ready to be moving away from the place. ” your reason for not fighting is that you presume that we will seek no evil against you” ’ interesting, I thought our reason for not fighting is because we are not provoked, all others have attacked us, this one only bars our way desiring us to, what, do what it could not? Of course I guess that doesn’t include whoever holds the key, or a key apparently. We will attempt to take the key, probably starting a fight. Does that mean we have already lost to this place. I refuse to believe that.’

”Quiet Mope, we will leave soon enough.” Mope nickers and tosses his head as he prances sideways, Usawoti patting him one the neck ” we know this only because the master of this layer was there as it was made” The master of this layer? ”it remembers its teacher” Are we not listening to the master of this layer, or does it ultimately serve another other than the sin?’

Mope stand still for a moment and Usawati’s gaze shifts from the shifting writhing form to his dragon-friend- Inarus. ” you may have a minor god on your side.” ‘A minor god, is that what Inarus is now?’

Usawoti looks to his two large friends, ”We have waited this long, finish your questions, Inarus; so that we may continue to look for the exit and Shuvuu, satisfied with our answers.”

To Usawoti telepathically

"I don't think it's that simple that we can just leave, Usawoti. This place is a power nexus. If we don't claim the power, the next creature that comes along will claim it, and likely use the power against us. That's what the voice was trying to tell us. And the one who has come before us has tried to look for solutions, but ended up wound even tighter in the prophecy instead. "

" And of all the beings we have met thus far - this one seems to have the clearest idea of the true nature of this place. "

The rest of the world

"So if we absorb the power of the master of this layer, would it be the legendary key you speak off? Would it allow us access to the top level of this tower?" He asks the voice.

His mind a roil of thoughts, and frozen in indecision, he turns his thoughts inwards, praying to the entity that had blessed him. 'Goddess, is this my time to make the sacrifice you spoke off?'

Usawoti, shakes his head at his friend. 'So let the next creature that comes along claim it. We don't want tied to this place anymore than we already are. Didn't you hear the prophecy? Do you want to stay here? I certainly don't. We promised these with us that they could leave with us. That means we have to leave to fulfill our promise to them.'

The rest of the world

"So if we absorb the power of the master of this layer, would it be the legendary key you speak off? Would it allow us access to the top level of this tower?" He asks the voice.

"it is not the key - unless you claim all nine layers of lust or gluttony or wrath" the presence replies, then, "but it most certainly grants you enough authority to open the way to the deuteroterminal level - the level of second death - at the top of the shaft"

After a breath, "the key will most likely be found within that place - but perhaps there is another who will claim it first or who has opened the way with the blood of an innocent"

---------------

The voices words reverberates in his mind. The voice, who had been here for aeons. Who knew the place better then any other.

but you will be bound to the tower, and fated to return, to stay until a cycle has passed

'None of us are getting out unless I do this.'He thinks to himself desparingly.

though your chosen bride will be forever barred from being here with you for reasons that cannot possibly yet be understood" Then, "and eventually, you will pass into obsolescence, and be destroyed or replaced, the sins so ancient as to predate your people eventually returning to reassert themselves

'Usawoti be separated from Yeye, which obviously wouldn't be fair to him and the ancient sins would come back. And Iya-iya' s fate of being consumed by sin and killed by her descendents as a rabid beast is too horrible to contemplate' He thinks, railing out at the injustice of the system here. 'I guess it'll have to be me. '

but will instead bring a true and lasting change and will eventually permit a true transition from the sin of this device and the other three layers you are now a part of back into its intended virtue

'I can change things for the better, I really can!' A faint pulse of hope and wonder enters his thoughts.

the way is sealed by that which rules and is ruled by this place and only by fulfilling its destiny may any pass beyond

'Damn the way ahead is sealed.'He thinks.

opening the gate on this level is part of the process of replacing the one who claimed the title of 'master' long ago"

'Not absorbing the master of the level is not a choice, since the process of passing through is part of claiming the title of master' He thinks.

if you destroy the barrier we may be able to rebuild it in time but it will not matter - by the time it would be complete it would no longer serve its purpose

'So I'm damning everyone to die or get corrupted by another sin should I not become the master of this place' He thinks, angrily. 'That's isn't fair, they aren't harming anyone, why should they be invaded by denizens of another sin!'

it must be noted that if you actively oppose those who intend to do evil to you that you may wish to reconsider your reasons for leaving" it responds, wryly "as this layer in particular has now tasted you and will seek to haunt you or your descendants later

'That outcome won't be fair to Iya-iya's, or Usawoti's children either. Why should the descendents suffer for something their forefathers did, or didn't do?!' Inarus gets more frustrated at the injustice of the situation.

"it came here as part of a pogrom to continue the will of an ancient human king it once respected - a king whose goals and desires were being corrupted by his own servants" it replies.
"unfortunately what had been done by seven hundred could not be undone by one no matter how much more powerful the one than even the mightiest seven"

'Our predecessor who was pretty powerful who tried to do good got screwed over. This doesn't bode well for us.'Inarus thinks to himself.

it fought this - in fact it worked very hard to negate its fate entirely" it notes, amused, "and yet to date all things that were revealed have been proven true

in truth" it says, "the harder it fought against its fate the tighter the loop of that fate and the more tightly it became bound by that fate until it became even more like the prophecy suggested than it would have been had it merely accepted it

'The more you fight your destiny, the more it binds you. There is no use resisting your true destiny and harming countless innocents...'

this is the only way to open the path to your home

'The only way back would be by the key.'

whatever will follow after me may easily learn of your existence from the eternal memory that this place holds of all that has happened inside of it and all who pass through its being - much less ones so influential as you three - and it is likely that whatever comes after me that discovers you will bend fate itself to conspire to bring you and/or your descendants to great violence harm evil corruption debasement or all of the above for its own ends

'And when the level gets corrupted.. The new owners will send their minions after us, hampering our chances of successfully getting the key. ' He thinks.

However with each new layer you acquire your will to fight the sin will be removed one step at a time until you are no more than a puppet of that sin

'What Usawoti suggests in finding another way is only going to get us more mired in sin until we don't know why we're even here in the first place. That's not the way to go.' He thinks.

it most certainly grants you enough authority to open the way to the deuteroterminal level - the level of second death - at the top of the shaft"
After a breath, "the key will most likely be found within that place - but perhaps there is another who will claim it first or who has opened the way with the blood of an innocent"

'At least we have a concrete name of a level we can access to. And we will have the power to open the way to that level so Usawoti, Iya-iya and the mephits to go back to Golarion.' He thinks with finality. 'It has to be done.'

He thinks about performing in the tavern. Walking out to see the spring flowers. Standing on the mountaintop to witness the sun rise. Things he'll never see again...

Then he thinks of Usawoti showing Yeye around Golarion with a flock of giggling mephits. Iya-iya flying free over the five King mountains..

He takes comfort in what the goddess has said to him in the centre of his mind. 'They say there is no sacrifice too great if it is done for love. For the love of my friends, for the love of the countless creatures of this level, for the hope of a brighter future, I will make the sacrifice.'

'Would Usawoti blame me for my decision? Probably yes. I don't think he'll accept why I did it either, stubborn goat that he is.We could still try. '

"Usawoti - the voice has already told us that if we go on to conquer other layers, we will become so mired in sin that we won't remember why we even are here. None of us would make it back to Golarion. At least this way there is still hope for the rest of you."

He turns to the voice and answers simply, "For the sake of what I hold dear, I will take up the title of Master of this level. Show me what needs to be done."

'No he cannot believe this lie.' Mope, feeling the fear and frustration rush through Usawoti stops his prancing and turns to the dragon Inarus. Usawoti shakes his head "You are being seduced by the lust, do not believe it's lies. There are other ways to get to the shaft and find shuvuu, that is our goal right now. Once it is accomplished, then we will find the key."

Looking down for a second he looks back up tears in his eyes. "Before we entered the Giants Islands you were concerned that you would loose you humanity. I ask you to search your soul and tell me if you can even find it anymore.

Usawoti glares, spitting the words out. "Tell me true. Is it the dragon in Inarus or the Demon in Inarus that is seduced by this power? By this easy way out? For it isn't the Human Inarus."

Mope instinctively shifts, pointing the direction they came from. "For the Inarus I knew, the Human Inarus would not take the easy way, the powerful way, the whispered way, the sinful way or the lustful way. He would stick to the way that he and his companions agreed on."

Usawoti wipes his tears on his sleeve."If you do this, do not pretend you do it for others. You do it for you, the power hungry demon you, The greedy dragon you."

Shuddering "If you do this; The Inarus I knew before we came to this world, the human Inarus, he will be truly dead. He would have died on that island, as surly as Golan did."

Mope begins to prance again, ready to bolt back the way they came. Usawoti whispers, "I would rather die human than reign forever in this perverse machine, and I believe Inarus would have also. Say the word and we will leave to find a better way, stay here and you stay alone." he looks at the dragon and Mephits. "Or at least without me, the others will have to chose for themselves."

"No. I am taking the burden up only so all of you can escape this place. What need do I have for power, if I am to be a prisoner here forever?" Inarus answers, hurt. 'Can't he see all I have done is for them and not myself?'

"Sticking together and clearing this place will NOT HELP! Tell me, we've cleared 3 levels worth of sin, do you feel any closer to the key? And our conversation with the voice here has revealed more about this place then 3 levels of fruitless wandering!" He snaps at Usawoti.

"I tried to find another way. I tried to find out how the place worked so I could get us all out of here. It is knowledge speaking that I have decided to do what I must. I will not turn from the path I have chosen for in my heart I know this is the right thing to do."He gives a sad smile. "The goddess approves, too."

"If you choose to stubbornly think you can outrun your own destiny, then you will make my sacrifice in vain. But that is your right to choose and I may not take it from you."

Goddess what is he talking about? Mope paws the ground, Usawoti shakes his head, "The 'oracle' has you confused. Trying to get you to make the decision it wants you to make. We aren't nearer the key, so what? We aren't after the key, not yet, we are trying to get out. We will get out, get Shuvuu, then make a plan to get the key."

Waving his bejeweled hand at the place in general, "Clearing this place has never been a goal. See, you are thinking the way it wants you to think. Our goal is to EXIT this place, find Shuvuu then find the key."

Spitting in the general direction of the snickering mass of flesh. "I will make you this deal. We find the route we missed, back the way we came. take that route to the shaft, finding Shuvuu. Then we look for the key. If we cannot find the key, we will come back and take this writhing, scheming, perverted things deal."

Usawoti's shoulders sag, "The Inarus I came here with would always work with me. Pleae be that human Inarus again. Prove to me he isn't dead and that more than the dragon-demon Inarus lives on."

"So, does wandering around for 3 levels worth give you any better idea on how to leave the place? Did it tell you more about the place then what was told to us by the voice?"Inarus asks Usawoti brutally. "Or find the key that the Coven asked us to find? No. So you would lead us into MORE FRUITLESS WANDERING as opposed to a properly laid out plan?"Inarus shakes his head disdainfully."And the voice has spoken about events that have really happened - have we come out of the levels unscathed? No, you have a half dragon face. Me? I was turned into a stone dragon, and now I'm mostly spirit. Those just reflections on what transversing those levels of sin are doing to us."

"By then it will be too late. Everyone down here will be dead or corrrupted - and there will be no one to do the transfer." He answers. "Besides we've never had much luck backtracking to areas previously visited...like there was a case of the whole in the ground we had to plug in...no matter. We're definitely not going to be able to visit THAT area again. My mind is made up, and will not be swayed."

''He is loosing his mind.' Usawoti looks pitifully at his old friend. "fruitless wanderings? The best lies always swim close to the truth. We had not explored all of the runes we entered. There are exits in each of them. I wanted to continue looking. You followed the desires of a dragon to come to this place."

He turns for a moment looking to their new friend, "I mean no offense Iya-iya, but your dragon instincts called you to this place, But your friendship has cause you to agree to leave with us."

Turning back to Inarus, "Can't you see that it is your dragon desires that call you to this lie. The promise of all you supposedly seek, in one little sinful slippery slope. It's your demon desire that calls for the power at whatever cost, made palatable with the lie that you are speeding our cause. A demon will stay in hell if he can reign. A dragon will hide in a cave hoarding his wealth. That's what this place is! A pit making promises to your corrupted natures. Inarus would choose the harder path, one filled with wandering and new experiences without the surety of a prophesy."

Shaking his head. "At least admit the truth, stop lying to yourself. The prophesies only speak of what may be, it is not a guarantee. You do this because your corrupted nature calls you to it. Human Inarus would not abandon his friends to stay the all powerful ruler of this place. That was never his dream. You are succumbing to the dragon and demon. Human Inarus is dead."

"The one that came before us - he too tried to avoid the prophecy - it didn't really help him any. And people who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. If you think you can do better then someone who has an eon to work things out - YOU are the one who is deluded." Inarus answers. "The rest of you - you may choose to follow Usawoti if you wish, I will not stop you. Now, I have a lot of work to do." He deliberately turns his back on Usawoti.

'Well - that did a fat lot of good arguing with that stubborn goat' He thinks to himself angrily.

'Inarus is dead,' turning Mope about, Angus calls to his friend one last time. "the oracle gave in to the sin, just as you are about to do! He, He, He, you are taking it at its word. We have no idea if the prophesy is even true, we have no idea if the oracle is even telling the truth. Have you even used magic to see if it speaks true? You trust this one more than trusting our abilities together. If you succumb to this it's because it is what you want. Not because it is inevitable. You are giving in to the machinations of the builder. You are willingly giving into what these unfortunates had cast upon them. Becoming what you have strived to destroy because of what they were doing. How are you any different than the creatures we have made war upon? You are becoming them!"

As Usawoti and Inarus argue, many pairs of eyes look back and forth, watching him.

A "soft" (relatively speaking) dragon voice begins, "U͢saw͜o͘t́i̧,̶ m͘y̧ friend̷,̧ ͞I d̡on̷'̡t ͘thi҉n̛k͏ t̷hat͞ we-"

He turns for a moment looking to their new friend, "I mean no offense Iya-iya, but your dragon instincts called you to this place, But your friendship has cause you to agree to leave with us."

"i͜-̴ ... ͏it ͏was ͝no͘t̴ ̵m͏y ͡d̛ra͡ģon-̶n͝ess̡!̸" she protests.

Usawoti continues back and forth with Inarus.

"the oracle gave in to the sin, just as you are about to do! He, He, He, you are taking it at its word. We have no idea if the prophesy is even true, we have no idea if the oracle is even telling the truth. Have you even used magic to see if it speaks true? You trust this one more than trusting our abilities together. If you succumb to this it's because it is what you want. Not because it is inevitable. You are giving in to the machinations of the builder. You are willingly giving into what these unfortunates had cast upon them. Becoming what you have strived to destroy because of what they were doing. How are you any different than the creatures we have made war upon? You are becoming them!"

Aaaaaaaaaaaand it is around here that Usawoti becomes aware of a long, low sound that has been building for a while.

The party begins disgorging people, as the floor twitches in visible irritation.

"YOU DARE ACCUSE US OF FALSEHOOD AFTER ALL WE HAVE DONE - ALL I HAVE SUFFERED - ALL THAT WE HAVE SAID ALL THAT I HAVE SACRIFICED FOR YOU" a voice, similar to, but somehow shifting into something different from before (louder, but also changing back and forth in other ways), "I HAVE BEEN MOST ACCOMMODATING SO FAR BUT DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF OR MY BENEVOLENCE WHICH YOU QUESTION TO MY FACE SMALL HALF-DRAGON"

A powerful blast of cold passes through, "WE ALL OFFERED FRIENDSHIP - DO NOT MAKE US REGRET THIS WITH FOOLISHNESS"

Then, "YOU KNOW NOT OF WHAT YOU SPEAK AND SPEAK IN INSULT - BUT LET BE CLEAR" it says, "WE OFFER FREELY THOUGH I WANT TO LIVE BY HONOR AND FOR THE IDEA OF FRIENDSHIP BUT SHOULD YOU WISH A MORE VIOLENT RESOLUTION"

A cold stillness, then, "We *I* Can Oblige...!"

The warmth is gone when the voice speaks again, though otherwise it is as it was before, "our suggestion is that you choose your next words carefully - we began this by giving freely all we had to give and speaking only to what you please you based on your stated desires - we seek no evil but you repeatedly and loudly question the one thing that keeps us from devolving into sin - our honor - and i do guarantee this - neither we nor you would be the choice of will for the creators of this place"

---------------------

He turns to the voice and answers simply, "For the sake of what I hold dear, I will take up the title of Master of this level. Show me what needs to be done."

"merely this - devour the master while you pour out the flames of your fury - as you are willing we will provide the way now"

Several flicks of the floor disgorging a number of celebrants at Inarus' feet, dazed, while shifting others around. Suddenly, the flicking reveals a wide patch of scales that twist and reveal a soft leathery hide.

"begin but be quick - the will to live is always strong and this will hurt - though we are willing it will not be easy and we wish to not succumb to animal instincts - speed will be your ally in this"

This is insane. Using his knees, Usawoti guides Mope near his dragon friend. "Inarus if we begin this path we cannot stop it!"

Louder to the 'Oracle' "The other creatures thought these halls were 'THE WORLD' they thought this was heaven and the lower hell. This is no more heaven and that hell than I am a dragon. I do not impinge your honor nor accuse you of lying intentionally. I only mean that in this place the occupants only see in part and know in part. Even if you were from our world; in time, you would only see and believe what the sin wanted you to see. It is inevitable. That is why we must keep ourselves separate for as long as we can. But to give in to the sin, no matter how seemingly just, will never be right. It only powers that which we fight against."

Turning to Inarus, "If we find another way that the Oracle will agree to, other than one of the three of us being bound to this tower will you allow it?"

Turning back to the Oracle, Mope starting to prance again. "If the prophesy isn't a part of the Machinations of the tower it must allow for success without the death of a good creature and the imprisonment of another. The price you have paid should be enough, we just need to figure it out. The creator of the tower may be smarter than one or two of us but he can't be smarter than all of us!"

Also earlier retcon - that I didn't really have the time to get to

As Usawoti starts railing at the voice, Inarus says apologetically as a way of explanation, "I am sorry about his behaviour - but its because he doesn't want me to be bound to the tower. He's even been trying to guilt trip me to thinking that taking on the title would be the act of a demon, which I know is untrue."

"I'd ask for forgiveness on his behalf, but since you're the one he's being rude to, it's really for you to decide. And we'd best proceed with haste."

Pointedly ignoring Usawoti all this while.

'Better get this over and done with before Usawoti starts interrupting the transfer' Inarus thinks to himself.

Cough. You guys. Really. ~<3 <3

Usawoti turns to depart, as Inarus manifests his physicality, pouring out burning winds and razor teeth and claws.

A powerful roar surges forth, and, as many celebrants are disgorged and poured into and flood the hallway (nearly knocking Usawoti from Mope as they end up flooding the passageways and flooding the floor-space beyond visual range, leaving him no room to move without trampling them), a beautiful, brilliant writhing serpentine dragon shudders in pain though it quickly strives to still itself.

In a terrifying moment, an immense and powerful claw snaps out, lashing wildly at Inarus, but the remaining claws horns and teeth and tail still themselves, intentionally, and the one clawed hand also retracts, regretful for its actions.

Inarus takes 20 damage. Usawoti is shaken.

"Apologies - friend - please - continue" the dragon says.

Inarus quickly finishes, consuming the entirety of the creature in a few impossible bites.

There is a moment of a long, exhausted, but grateful sigh, and suddenly the intense lust that had been pressing on the minds of all around... vanishes.

The now-disgorged former-party-goers, suddenly freed from endless frozen cycles of physical pleasure and given the freedom to... think, really, for the first time in their existence, begin to recover. In addition to the enormous host of mephits (which Chandruu, Yalagach, and Agaar started to organize), there are many other outsiders (dapsara, erodaemons, gancanagh, incubi, pairaka, succubi, vendenopterixes, and especially veela), fey (a few nereids and a smattering of sensuously beautiful or exotic-looking individuals of other kinds), a few ecstacy-feeder aberrations, and nearly a dozen young adult dragons (including two different kinds of linnorms, a white dragon, a sky dragon, a silver, a cloud, a river, and a tidepool).
Note: any outsiders have no particular alignment (they are effectively neutral), nor any alignment-subtypes, no matter what kind of outsider they are. This is something the previous 'master' seems to have 'edited' into the local 'programming' of the lair.

Then, without warning, a powerful gust of craving consumed by blinding fiery rage cooled in the creeping frost of lust broken off by the physical demands of hunger suppressed by fury tempered into passionate desire that is weakened by a grumbling stomach which is admittedly kind of irritating but Iya-iya looks fetching but...

And then, just like that, though sin remains as a temptation, it's suddenly gone and none of them control him anymore.

And instead, authority and memory and knowledge and lore suddenly flood him.

Usawoti's hand flares with pain and prismatic light, as the gem delicately held in Iya-iya's claws does the same, blinding all nearby (and causing the dragon to drop hers - though it hovers), briefly, before the overwhelming light is replaced by the divine-like presence of the spirit-dragon Inarus.

The crystal dropped by Iya-iya slowly sinks to the floor.

emote-

The mephits and former residents of this and all previous lairs begin to bow before Inarus' presence!

Inarus: there were once thick and cloying waves of snow and ice that not only blocked the way out but threatened to swamp the lair and drown those caught within, but was held back by the physical presence of the previous 'master' ('sealed' as it was in an eternal circle of governing the lair). That way is now free to access, and though the snow threatens, you may feel free to simply cause the ice to melt into holy water, and diminish the heft of said water (while mitigating the sucking winds to a gentle rejuvinating breeze, and dimming the destructive fire into a thin sacred cleansing low flame instead). I'm going to presume you do this - feel free to correct me/retcon things, slightly.

A wave of water rushes forth, threatening to drown all, but instead becomes a briefly-dense mist and light sprinkle spread over the top of the heads of all those bowing as it cruises along the ceiling of the corridor. Within short order, it eventually turning into a soft continually-falling snow from a gentle white cloud - snow derived from holy water.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand /scene. Wat do. Usawoti, you may get up, given that everyone around you (save you and Mope) seems to have begun worshiping Inarus...

"Welp." notes Mope, dryly, "That's certainly somethin' ya don't see every day." He looks at Uwasoti. "You okay, boss?"

"Go in peace." Inarus utters to to the brilliant writhing serpentine dragon. In that moment he feels empathy for the creature he is to consume. 'To have come here in vain to change things, and to become trapped for eternity...it must been a mercy to finally be released into death.'

He hears the long, exhausted, but grateful sigh. 'Is that freedom for everyone on this level as well? Then my sacrifice was well worth it.'

He feels the surge of power transcend through every pore of his body, and realizes with great power - comes great responsibility. With the death of their former master - he has taken on the title of Master. And their protector against forces of the other sins. And the survival of every being on these 3 levels depends on him now. He quickly stretches out his senses - to check the status of the entrances to these levels to see if there are enemies approaching and where the breaches are.

'Worshipping me as a god. I never wanted it.' Inarus thinks to himself. 'But whatever they choose to think of me, I am their guardian now, and it is my duty to keep them safe. If them worshipping me puts some order so I can get them easily organized if we need to fight or flee, I will choose not to release them from the overwhelming presence for now. Inarus thinks pragmatically. 'But eventually a choice must be made - I could perhaps put them in a safe demiplane. Or I could use the authority here to release them out to Golarion. I will need to warn those who's type most people would associate with evil outsiders that they will be unfairly treated by the population on Golarion and thus need to exhibit caution.'

"Voice? Are you still there?"He asks the seemingly appearing empty air.

He hears only the minds of those from this level - and those from the others, ranging from Iya-iya to Chandruu - respond to him, ready to either become his voice, or respond to him as individuals, according to his will.

That's... a lot of power.

There is currently no assault on the interior of the tower, though he is informed that a number of creatures are fighting and dying outside of it.