Not knowing a good way to break the news, Zoli reaches out to put a hand on Lorthan and says, "I'm sorry, but you were trapped for many years. It's now 4711."
Jeevika quirks an eyebrow at Zazeron's obvious ploy but continues to be polite.
"...You two might have some... difficulty leaving this area. My allies tell me that there was a... General Nelevetu Voan in Lust. As if time suddenly caught up with him, he immediately turned to dust the second he left that wing. If I was not clear the first time, it has been several thousand years since Earthfall."
Lorthan tightens his grip on his weapon, his head hanging as the weight of the news hits him. After a few moments, he says, ”Come. We must let Gadgorin know.”
__________
Ethariel says, ”Of course it is. The rangers of Kyonin are the best in the world.”
She then arches an eyebrow and asks, ”Exactly how long is a long time to a centaur?”
__________
Soldara laughs heartily, ”Yes! That little addition was my idea! Marvelous little trap, wouldn’t you agree? And someone finally released General Voan! I wish I could have been there for that one!”
Zazeron halts, before turning to Jeevika once more, ”Tell me, what portions of Runeforge have you...’visited’?” he asks. His hand drops to his component pouch.
"Of course," Zoli nods and starts to walk back toward the others. "I'll, ahh, let you break the news if you don't mind. And then hopefully we can find your companions. We heard other voices when you were released from the spell."
Lorthan nods solemnly and follows behind Zoli.
Gadgorin comes stomping back, muttering to himself in Dwarven. A few moments later, Zoli returns, Lion reunited with her atop her shoulder, and a large figure appearing as a bipedal dragon clad in armor follows her...
Ryli scratches her chin in thought. "You know, that's a very good question. I've only been alive for a few days. I'll find out, I expect."
Sobering, she shakes her head sadly. "But I have a much different perspective on time than just a newborn centaur. I have lived countless lives, stretching back millennia. You may have been here that long, or longer."
"There's no need for violence, Zazeron; I have no quarrel with you," Jeevika says carefully, albeit while keeping her buckler and falcata slightly raised. "Again, I will answer your questions if you answer mine, and I have been rather... generous with information."
"OK, I'm back. You all have met Gadgorin here, but this is Lorthan," Zoli gestures to the dragon-man, "And this is Lion," she gestures to her familiar.
Nodding to the woman Zoli says, "And I think I didn't meet you yet. I'm Zoli Tileani, a protector of the lands...and more recently the Highlady of Righteous Anger."
Ethariel looks at you with a newfound appreciation. ”Really? An Eldrunai? I wasn’t aware any still existed...”
__________
”So you claim, yet what reason other than violence could you have? The little one wears the mark of Highlady of Wrath, so clearly you have bested Highlord Draxon...or one of his successors. And are now wandering the Vaults of Greed...likely for treasure.”
Soldara folds her arms, ”They’ve been to the Cages as well. One back in the other room said she was ‘born’ there.”
Zazeron clenches his teeth, ”So, again, why should we believe your honeyed words when you’ve at the very least assaulted two of our bastions?”
Ryli tilts her head, brows furrowing. "A what now? Eldrunai? I'm not familiar with that word."
"I'll answer honestly. If you have magic that can detect lies, I'll submit to it.
"The Runelord Karzoug is attempting to return and harm our great nation. If you're his allies than we're bad news for you. If you're interested in attempting to help us stave off his return--or at least indifferent to it--then perhaps we may be able to find common cause."
"I suppose you have a point there. However, some of factions here were not destroyed by us. According to Vraxeris' records, the residents of Envy decided one day that they could fight the rest of the Runeforge and win. They lost. Vraxeris himself passed of dementia not much later." She turns to Soldara. "From what I gathered, before any of that, Delvahine staged a coup against your people and murdered most of them; General Voan was the only human we found there.
"When we met her, Delvahine ultimately decided that we would make great... playthings. She lost our first encounter and fled. Unless the residents of Wrath were always naturally prone to murder anything that stepped into their Halls, she presumably used her mind magic to enslave Wrath to her cause of revenge. They all lost. As for Azaven, well, he decided to ally himself with Delvahine for whatever reason; he was also very insistent that we joined him in undeath. We disagreed."
She looks at both Zazeron and Soldara in the eyes.
"Just to be clear, the only individuals we've actually fought were an arrogant succubus, her slaves, and a damned lich and his mindless minions. They started hostilities."
Lorthan and Gadgorin look at each other confused. Soldara’s Face changes from aloof to serious. ”Well, I can’t let that happen. I won’t stand in your way here, I hate these greedy bastards as much as Zazeron there. As, it would seem, the new acting Highlady of Lust, if you have any questions, come find me in the Cages.”
”That is unfortunate news. Lord Zutha needs to be the first to return,” he rubs his chin a moment, thinking. ”I will not impede you, but do not re-enter the Crypts, for if you do, I will defend them to the end. They are my post, now.”
He then turns and begins walking out. Soldara, however, lingers for a few more moments.
__________
”Eldrunai. The Elven word for ‘Eternal Soul.’ Legends told of our most powerful Arch-Druids could live on beyond their years in new bodies. But they were lost, eventually, one by one. Even in my time, their existence was spoken of as tales...”
"Wait, before you go, do either of you know the means of forging a runeforged weapon? With weapons forged against Greed, we'll happily go off to keep Karzoug from his nefarious ways."
Zazeron continues walking away, offering nothing more to the conversation.
Soldara replies, ”They were secrets of the Highlords and Highladies. If time has passed like you say, you’re only hope is that the records were preserved and passed on. I highly doubt Delvahine troubled herself with it, if she did manage a coup as you say.”
Ryli blinks several times as she takes in Ethariel's words. "Well, 'lost' would be a good way to put it. It is... tempting to forget the old lives and exist entirely in the current one. The memory and... loss... can be overwhelming."
She leans on her staff, studying the elf. "That's interesting. If I knew I was one, I had forgotten."
"Who runs this wing? And Sloth for that matter," Jeevika asks thoughtfully as she attempts to gauge Zazeron's current emotional state.
”Here, it was Runelord Izomandakus, If he’s learned his own means to not age. In the Maze, to be honest, I never bothered to learn his name. That lot never had the creativity to wander from their own domain or develop anything new,” she replies.
”ALRIGHT! Tha’s it! I am tired o’ e’eryone jabberin’ on in this gobbledygook language!” Gadgorin roars.
Lorthan chides ”Gadgorin! It is not our place! We have our own problems!”
”Our own problems! Yer damned right we ‘ave our own problems! Ye tell me we’ve been ‘ere swimmin’ aboot fee three thousand and a ‘alf bloody years, we kinnae find tha others, an’ tha only other people we find all prefer ta talk in some crazy language nobody understands!”
Jeevika turns to Gadgorin.
"I apologize; we're here to prevent the return of the Runelord Karzoug. I'm trying to acquire some information about how to stop that. His minions have been going on a rampage across Varisia. Again, these two do not understand Common; they predate the language."
Jeevika tilts her head back to Soldara.
"I suppose that is all the questions we have for now. We will be in touch I imagine," Jeevika replies with a nod.
Jeevika focuses Gadgorin and his draconic friend.
"My name is Jeevika Kailani. I am an ambassador from Kyonin and part of peacekeeping group called the Varisian Rangers. I have already met Gadgorin, but I am afraid I do not know your name, sir dragon.
"I am with Zoli and three others: Eugeni Silva and Ryli and Olympus. Perhaps we should rejoin my companions in the room to the north. I think I hear them talking with someone? Might be one of your friends. Speaking of which, don't mind the roc, centaur, or tusked individual. They would be Olympus, Ryli, and Mr. Silva respectively."
Eugeni concentrates for a moment and alters self into a pretty good resemblance of his old half-orc self. He maintains his cross-legged floating position. "Come," he suggests in Sylvan before floating down the hall toward the other voices.
Ryli snaps out of her fascination. "Oh, yeah! Come meet the others. Maybe they'll have figured out how long you've been stuck here."
Just then, a floating half-orc, which some of you recognize as Eugeni’s prior form, Ryli, and a blonde elf enter the room. ”Lorthan! Gadgorin!” she says as she runs over to them, and gives them both an embrace. Ryli and Eugeni see, for the first time, that in the corner are a dwarf in full armor with a hammer on his back, and an ogre-sized cross of a man and dragon in gleaming platemail and a double-bladed sword in his left hand.
Soldara turns and looks back at the pair. ”So, Tusker decide to make himself appear more presentable I take it?”
Ethariel continues, ”Any sign of Gavin or...or Kragath?”
Lorthan looks away, but Gadgorin shakes his head, ”Nay, lass. Jus’ this lot.”
As Eugeni enters the fountain room, he takes in the various people there. He speaks in Common and then Thassilonian, "Good...afternoon? I am Eugeni Silva de-Sczarni, master of the Arcane, chosen of Desna, and a founding member of the Varisian rangers, whose veins have flowed with the blood of celestials, orcs, and now the taint of the Great Old Ones. Please forgive my earlier silence, I was thinking."
Soldara chuckles at Eugeni’s boast, ”Master of the Arcane are you? Then surely Karzoug is of little concern to you!” she laughs heartily.
Ryli nods her head in the direction of the new acquaintances. "Hello. I am Ryli Marwari. Should I assume you were also trapped here in this wing of the Runeforge, likely as one of the ornamental koi?"
Soldara chuckles at Eugeni’s boast, ”Master of the Arcane are you? Then surely Karzoug is of little concern to you!” she laughs heartily.
"Quite. As soon as we locate his ancient buttocks, he will pay for his crimes."
Jeevika studies Ethariel for a long moment.
"You look very familiar," she instinctively says in Elven. "Are you from Kyonin? I am Jeevika of House Kailani. I serve as an ambassador in Queen Edasseril's court."
She turns to Jeevika. ”Ethariel Teliandra Edasseril, High Ranger of Kyonin, at your service. House Kailani has long been a steadfast ally of our House. An honor,” she says with a slight bow.
Jeevika smiles and bows too, "An honor as well, Your Highness."
She looks at the more 'modern' adventuring party and asks them in general, "How did you all end up here? What's your story? You seem like adventurers, but you are predate us by over three thousand years."
”Three...did you say...three thousand years!?” Ethariel stammers, her violet eyes filling with tears. Her knees go weak, and Lorthan reaches out to hold her before she falls. She turns and begins crying into his abdomen, before he kneels and cradles her against his shoulder.
For the first time, Gadgorin shows a bit of emotion beyond rashness. He steps over to your group, ”Pardon tha pointy-ear lass. She, well, we all ‘ave a ‘istory. Lemme explain: a lad by tha name o’ Gavin, a spell slinga, an’ Lorthan there came ta Tar Taargadth, an convinced me uncle, tha King, tha great danger from the time afore Earthfall resided ‘ere in these mountains. ‘E decided ya send me along ya see to any potential Dwarven interests. We then visited Kyonin, against me advice, an’ tha pointy-ears sent ‘er along with us. On our way back, the lad recruited a humie Paladin name o’ Kragath. ‘E an’ ‘er ‘ad eyes for each other, ye see. But, Lorthan that ‘ad eyes for ‘er, too.”
He looks back over his shoulder at the pair, ”Still does, if’n ye ask me. Always drove the boy mad, but ‘e’d ne’er say a word about it, ‘Against ‘is code,’ ‘e’d always say. But e’erytime she looked a’ Kragath an’ nay ‘im, a bit o’ tha light went outta ‘is eyes. Anyways, we get ‘ere, Gavin works his hocus pocus on some statues, an’ ‘ere we are. Last thing any o’ us seem ya recall is a green fog an’ then feelin’ like we were drownin’.”
"I see. That's quite a story..." Jeevika remarks, clearly ashamed that she made a close ally cry. "Gavin was not wrong; if Karzoug the Claimer reawakens, then the entire region will suffer greatly. His minions have been nothing but brutal monsters. To give you an idea of how dangerous this man is, he managed to assemble a literal Giant army by proxy. They were was likely weeks, perhaps merely days at most away from marching on Varisia before we stopped it.
"We should focus on finding your two remaining friends and then clearing out this wing if you are willing to help us. This is Karzoug's seat of power in the Runeforge; while the material wealth in here could certainly be useful against him, we are more interest in information that could be used to stop him."
Jeevika turns to Ethariel and says softly, "I am so sorry, Your Highness. I thought Ryli already told you. I apologize for my carelessness."
Ryli nods her head down. "I was... imprecise. I didn't know how long it had been."
"OK, well I think it's time for the Varisian Rangers to keep exploring this wing, looking for information on how exactly to forge runeforge weapons, and to learn what we can about the plans to bring back Karzoug.
"New friends, you are of course free to do as you wish. At this point the best way to learn more about your missing comrades might be to accompany us, but the choice is yours. If you'd rather wait here, we can bring back news after we've explored more.
"Soldara, before we go, is there anything else that might be helpful for us to know, in attempting to thwart the minions of Greed?"
Soldara shrugs. ”They’re not fond of illusions or enchantments. Other than that...anything goes to improve their wealth. Good luck,” she says with a wink before sauntering off down the hall.
Lorthan shakes his head, ”We need...time, to come to terms with what has happened. We shall remain here.”
"Of course. Stay alert. We'll be back soon."
With that, Zoli leads the Rangers south, walking slowly as they listen and look for anything of interest.
Jeevika nods and says, "I completely understand. Take your time. However, for now, I recommend staying here. Besides maybe Pride, the other wings are definitely not entirely safe."
She pauses briefly before tentatively putting a hand on Ethariel's shoulder.
"Your House currently rules Kyonin, and Queen Telandia is very popular among my generation," Jeevika informs her sister Elf soothingly in their native tongue. "I know that your more immediate relatives are gone. Believe me, I understand that pain. I feel it now; the reason I am even here is because my daughter gave her own life to stop this Rise of the Runelords; however, your family and descendants are still going strong. They will definitely welcome you home with open arms."
With that said, Jeevika takes point with Zoli and keeps her eyes and pointy ears open for danger.
The hall south leads to another fountain chamber. A fountain sprays water toward the ceiling, thirty feet above. The water cascades back into a pool in which colorful goldfish swim. Continuing on, you find a series of smaller quarters. They look like living quarters, empty save for a scattering of raw materials like sheets of cloth, stacks of lumber, blocks of stone, metal bars, and bones.
The hall leads to another fountain, and this chamber has a door on the far side of it.
Zoli listens at the door and reports in a whisper, "There's someone in there reading, and muttering to himself. Doesn't sound like casting. Let's bust in and get the drop on them!"
Eugeni stays within ten paces of as many of his companions as possible, in case they should need to getaway from something. As they move on in their explorations the arcanist is quiet, seemingly lost in thought. How amazing to have such a historical resource. I wonder if I could convince them to do a series of interviews after this is all over? Their knowledge would be an invaluable addition to the field. Talk about primary sources!...
Zoli signals for everyone to get ready and then opens the door.
Rows of thick wooden worktables occupy the center of this long chamber. Bookcases lining the walls hold hundreds of books and scrolls. Crates next to or pushed under the worktables appear to be filled with an odd variety of mundane items, such as rope, sticks, sacks, tools, and cookware. A dog on one of the tables looks dead, though its hind end appears to be made of some kind of metal. A few other animals pace back and forth in small metal cages—a house cat, a few rats, a snake, and a small white-faced monkey.
Leaning over one of the many ones open on the tables is a man with silver skin. His right hand clutches a staff, while his left traces along the text in front of him, but as the door opens, he holds it up with lightning speed with a finger raised to the ceiling. ”A moment, if you please. Do not interrupt my research.”
"Hmmmm, whatcha researching? Maybe we can help." Zoli sheaths Baern's Breath and starts to walk toward the silvery man.
Ryli reaches down and touches the halfling on the shoulder. "There's no harm in being polite. Let's give him a moment or two.
"When you're ready, sir."
His head snaps around, and his eyes have a strange, mad look to them. ”I said to wait a moment!” He hovers back and into the air some, his hand falling cautiously to a pouch at his side.
__________
Zoli charges in, drawing her adamantine scimitar and swinging at the metalic man.
___________________
AC 41
HP 121/121
Luck 15/20
Panache 5/5
Charmed Life 5/5
Luck o’ the Scene 1/1
Lessons of Chaldira 1/1
False Life 1/1
Lion's HP 60/60
Active effects
Communal Air Walk
Freedom of Movement
Shield of Faith
Good Hope