"Why have we been brought here?" Lanwin asks directly. "The information we've gathered so far has been vague. There is a device - made by whom? - that alters planes - how? - and is being used - by whom? - to alter the nature of certain planes - which ones? Every answer is just another question."
Elysia just stands and looks at the dragon, eyes wide with amazement, like she's trying to memorize every detail of it.
"Why have we been brought here?"
So you can learn what needs to be done to save the multiverse.
There is very little information about what is currently happening. And what information there is, very little has been written down. After that group stole the device, I did my best to make it so that people looking for the device would find themselves here.
"There is a device - made by whom?"
Primus is the leader of the Modrons. Every 17 years he sends out his Modrons across all the planes in a great march. Few know why. The last one made was 13 years ago. When the modrons returned after that march, Primus felt that the planes had become too chaotic and planned to fix them.
"...that alters planes - how?
The device taps into every plane depending on how it is configured. It draws power from the planes themselves. It draws power from the planes the user wants to have less of an influence on and uses that power to expand the influence of other planes. At least that was how it was intended to be used. The power of the planes cannot be controlled. Instead of simply drawing power it totally destroys what it draws power from. It's uncertain what would happen if the device gets to working full power -- Primus believed that that much power would even destroy what the device was trying to make having a stronger influence -- destroying all that was and recreating something new that was strictly based on one rigid alignment.
So the device was shelved. (It was also shelved because Primus found that there is Law found in everything -- including Chaos.)
"... and is being used - by whom?"
Of course, Chaos doesn't really work the same way as Law. I have an ... opposite ... if you will. He is a Chaos Dragon from Limbo. He found out about the device, played up the threat it posed and disguising himself, got a group of planar adventurers together to steal the device. He thinks that by using the device on a Prime Material plane, he will be immune to the devastation and will be able to rule what ever comes after the devastation. Activating the device on the Prime is having some unforseen effects. He is wrong if he thinks he is safe there -- or anywhere. But at this point I don't think that he cares if he lives or dies.
"... to alter the nature of certain planes - which ones?"
The end result would be that this would alter all of them. From the Positive Energy Plane to the Astral Plane. From the Plane of Fire to Baator. From the Prime Material Plane to Sigil. Nothing will be left. And what will come in its place will be nothing but absolute chaos.
The powers themselves are helpless to stop this. Primus found out where the device was located, but before he could act -- he was gone. Something else or someone else is giving the Modrons orders -- which is causing a lot more rogues than usual over the past few days. But word of this incident has gone out to the other powers and has them scared. It seems that they can act indirectly -- hence you are here -- but they may not be able to take direct action against the device.
What needs to be done to stop the device -- while the device is tapping into every plane, some planes it is drawing more power from than others or using to influence the other planes more than others. There will be a "key" on each of these planes. Each of these "keys" will need to be placed into the device which will stop the process that has been started. Your compass will help guide you to these keys.
Elysia just stands and looks at the dragon, eyes wide with amazement, like she's trying to memorize every detail of it.
He has two pairs of fan-shaped wings. He is a dark metallic purple in color. His scales look as though they have just been cleaned and buffed. His features are very sharp and angular and many of his features are incredibly symetrical.
"Is the device making the purple lightning on Sigil? Looks like we have been elected to fix things, though we have lost our Helm's man. We can find the keys but need to know where the device is. Do you know?"
"Is the device making the purple lightning on Sigil?
"Most likely."
We can find the keys but need to know where the device is. Do you know?"
He looks at Vassago. "I believe that Vassago suspects he knows how to get there when the time is right."
"The modrons should have called you Riddlefyre or Crypticfyre."
"The modrons should have called you Riddlefyre or Crypticfyre."
"I get the impression that Vassago likes to figure things out for himself. In any case, I believe that you have in your possession a couple of teleport scrolls. Those scrolls are slightly cursed. They will take you directly to Noshteroth -- the chaos dragon who has the device. I doubt that he will stray far from the device."
...assuming we are on the correct plane for the scrolls to function for the teleportation to occur. If what you say is true about their deceptive ends, they would not function as planned ... here, Vassago interjected.
Besides, we're not exactly sure how we got ... here. I sincerely doubt that Pinna had this destination in mind. Which presumes me to believe that you may possess the means to alter the course of intended or imagined destinations.
Vassago pauses, but his curiosity piques against better judgment. And how were you aware of the contents in my possessions? Exactly how long have you been scrying me?
A-ha! Malek! I am penetrating your ruse, old man.
Furthermore, are you implying that we have to step foot on each plane to collect a key and compile them with the device that is within Noshteroth's reach? Why in the world would I even begin to entertain in facilitating that? That's a suicide mission.
"A tour of the planes! That sounds like fun! Where do we begin?"
O_O
I could cast invisibility and make him disappear, but that doesn't silence him. I'll have to work on that. Provided we ever get ourselves out of this debacle. I blame you, Malek.
...assuming we are on the correct plane for the scrolls to function for the teleportation to occur. If what you say is true about their deceptive ends, they would not function as planned ... here, Vassago interjected.
"This is true. However, the scrolls were created with a fixed destination in mind. Noshteroth did not want the Yuan-Ti to simply take off with his stuff. You can only trust chaos so much."
Besides, we're not exactly sure how we got ... here. I sincerely doubt that Pinna had this destination in mind. Which presumes me to believe that you may possess the means to alter the course of intended or imagined destinations.
"The path has always been here. I found this path long ago. Since I made my home here, I wanted to give some clues to people who might need to find me. I helped build quite a number of monastaries on a number of different worlds each with very similar layouts. So, I don't possess the ability to create or alter paths, but long ago I gave Pinna the means to find me whether she knew it or not."
Vassago pauses, but his curiosity piques against better judgment. And how were you aware of the contents in my possessions? Exactly how long have you been scrying me?
"Not you -- at least not at first. I was keeping an eye on Alaric as well as all those who stole the device. Noshteroth has been difficult to locate recently. I have been keeping an eye on things since you came to Alaric's home, however."
Furthermore, are you implying that we have to step foot on each plane to collect a key and compile them with the device that is within Noshteroth's reach? Why in the world would I even begin to entertain in facilitating that? That's a suicide mission.
"There are few that have the experience or the knowledge (or the alignments) necessary to carry this out. You do. And if you do not do this, suicide may be preferable."
"If you need more convincing..."
"Balance is quickly going away. Malek is not an isolated case."
"I don't doubt that this is a difficult journey. I also don't doubt your abilities to succeed. While not generally your style, you may need to rely on others much more than you are used to. And they may need you more than they like just to keep them on the right path."
"Suicide is not in you. Neither is failure. More than anything this attitude is what is needed to succeed."
Toward what end?
I could cast invisibility and make him disappear, but that doesn't silence him. I'll have to work on that. Provided we ever get ourselves out of this debacle. I blame you, Malek.
When he looks at me like that, I wonder if he's deciding what wine I'll go best with
<Smiles at Vassago>
Toward what end?
Toward what end?
"Is it effecting every plane, or only some of them? There are a lot of planes, if I remember my schooling..."
"Is it effecting every plane, or only some of them? There are a lot of planes, if I remember my schooling..."
Hard to determine. Especially since it's hard to determine what planes rely on others for their existence. If the elemental plane of fire changes, what happens to the paraelemental plane of magma? Some things are less obvious -- what happens to the positive energy plane if the negative energy plane is gone? What happens to the plane of shadow if Baator is affected?
I don't think that there will be anything that at least won't be indirectly affected.
You are correct, priest, he replied quickly. Some planes even span the infinite. My blood flows through them like an Ouroboros stream ... he breaks his thought in mid-sentence to face Forcefyre with an eyebrow raised.
... admitting that you have been scrying, then you should be able to see plainly that if it were not for Vortic Sword-Wielder, our numbers would likely be less. We are but a rag-tag crew and if we're being depended on to bring balance into order, I fail to see the logic...
Vassago looks askance toward E. to note that wide-toothy smile stretching across his face. He offers a slight hand wave as offering a greeting of hello in mocking fashion before returning his gaze toward the axial dragon.
Conveniently as it has been for you to scry across planar realms, then you should be able to help pin-point with a lesser margin of error exactly where these keys might be located. But all of them? Surely a being of your vast knowledge would take into account that it would be more efficient for several parties to be locating these keys concurrently ... given the impression that balance is spiraling quickly in descent from its natural order and by having this discussion, we are wasting time; irrevocably lost. He pauses for a moment to draw in a deep breath. And what of you? We're nary insects in the wake of gods in comparison to you. Surely you can do more ... than to just wait here for others to ... find you. Indulge us short lived mere mortals, oh ...
She looked thoughtful, and unintentionally interrupted Vessago's conversation.
"...so it's basically a big puzzle with lots of little pieces that we have to solve?"
She looked thoughtful, and unintentionally interrupted Vessago's conversation.
"...so it's basically a big puzzle with lots of little pieces that we have to solve?"
"Ooooh. I hope it's not one of those puzzles where all the pieces look the same. But if it's a key shaped puzzle, the pieces should all different. Or maybe different materials based on the planes. Like tin or svirfneblinium or something..."
She looked thoughtful, and unintentionally interrupted Vessago's conversation.
"...so it's basically a big puzzle with lots of little pieces that we have to solve?"
"Ooooh. I hope it's not one of those puzzles where all the pieces look the same. But if it's a key shaped puzzle, the pieces should all different. Or maybe different materials based on the planes. Like tin or svirfneblinium or something..."
"Ooh, I bet they're all different colors! Oh, I hope the pattern it makes is a pretty one. It'd be so disappointing to go to all the trouble of solving the puzzle and then having it turn out to be all monotone and boring..."
... I fail to see the logic...
Conveniently as it has been for you to scry across planar realms, then you should be able to help pin-point with a lesser margin of error exactly where these keys might be located. But all of them?
"My ability to scry does not work that way. The keys are surprisingly hidden from me. It has taken considerable effort for me to locate ... approximately ... where the key on Mechanus is. And I am much more attuned to this plane than others.
Surely a being of your vast knowledge would take into account that it would be more efficient for several parties to be locating these keys concurrently ... given the impression that balance is spiraling quickly in descent from its natural order and by having this discussion, we are wasting time; irrevocably lost.
You were not the only ones ... summoned. Only one of the first ones to answer ... and survive. The Xaositects have done a pretty good job intercepting and killing many that have been called for this. There are two that are here ahead of you who lost most of their group to them. You might have encountered the Xaositects in a more direct manner if Elysia hadn't thrown them so off-guard. I believe that it would be good if you joined with these other two.
With regard to time -- it is undetermined how much time is needed before the process will be completed. I believe that Noshteroth made his modifications too quickly and without enough research -- such is the way with chaos. Because of that, I believe that the process will take longer than it was supposed to. In addition, removing each key will make things more difficult for the device to work. The keys are acting as a sort of planar anchor. So while it is important to hurry and stay focused, you do have some time and it's better to be properly prepared for what is ahead.
And what of you? We're nary insects in the wake of gods in comparison to you. Surely you can do more ... than to just wait here for others to ... find you. Indulge us short lived mere mortals, oh ...
I have been targeted -- so much so that I am a prisoner in my own home. We are safe here -- for now, but as soon as I set foot outside my home I am in great danger. While you may find it difficult to believe, there are things in this multiverse that are more powerful than I am. And right now, it seems that many of them want me gone. Your current abilities are still believed to be too insignificant to be bothered with. He is expecting and is prepared to deal with powerful creatures such as myself and others. And he too sees you as "nary insects" whereas I do not.
"Ooh, I bet they're all different colors! Oh, I hope the pattern it makes is a pretty one. It'd be so disappointing to go to all the trouble of solving the puzzle and then having it turn out to be all monotone and boring..."She looked thoughtful, and unintentionally interrupted Vessago's conversation.
"...so it's basically a big puzzle with lots of little pieces that we have to solve?"
"Ooooh. I hope it's not one of those puzzles where all the pieces look the same. But if it's a key shaped puzzle, the pieces should all different. Or maybe different materials based on the planes. Like tin or svirfneblinium or something..."
When the time is right, you two may be the only ones who will be able to assemble this ... puzzle.
"I'd better read up on svirfneblinium, then."
<Pulls out compass>
"Nearest library, please."
<Taps compass>
Pinna taps E lightly on the shouder. "Shouldn't we find the key here on Mechanus before going elsewhere? I believe our friend said he had located it?"
Pinna taps E lightly on the shouder. "Shouldn't we find the key here on Mechanus before going elsewhere? I believe our friend said he had located it?"
"Oops. There was a lot of talking. I kinda figured the key showed up during the discussion. So, mister dragon, not that I can...force...anything from you, but can you tell us where the key is?"
"You shouldn't tease him with puns, E. He already has that slightly sick, 'oh gods, the fate of the multiverse is in the hands of crazed halflings' look. You should recognize it. Vessago has it all the time." ^.^
"... but can you tell us where the key is?"
In Regulus -- essentially the Modron capital. In the Modron Cathedral somewhere.
"Well, then. No problem. E, fire up the wayback machine."
"OK. Sorry, compass. I know I asked you to find me a library, but I really want to go to Regulus, specifically the Modron Cathedral."
<Taps compass>
"Oh, and if there happens to be a library nearby, let me know. It'll be our secret."
"Well, then. No problem. E, fire up the wayback machine."
"Your choice, but I understand that your divine spellcasters may need to rest to regain their spells. You may stay here long enough to get your spells if you wish."
... I fail to see the logic...Vassago:Truth be told, they were not my choice. There are other ... parties ... interested in this as I am. I had a hand in you being here and Pinna. The others in the group were chosen by others.
"My ability to scry does not work that way. The keys are surprisingly hidden from me. It has taken considerable effort for me to locate ... approximately ... where the key on Mechanus is. And I am much more attuned to this plane than others.
You were not the only ones ... summoned. Only one of the first ones to answer ... and survive. The Xaositects have done a pretty good job intercepting and killing many that have been called for this. There are two that are here ahead of you who lost most of their group to them. You might have encountered the Xaositects in a more direct manner if Elysia hadn't thrown them so off-guard. I believe that it would be good if you joined with these other two.
With regard to time -- it is undetermined how much time is needed before the process will be completed. I believe that Noshteroth made his modifications too quickly and without enough research -- such is the way with chaos. Because of that, I believe that the process will take longer than it was supposed to. In addition, removing each key will make things more difficult for the device to work. The keys are acting as a sort of planar anchor. So while it is important to hurry and stay focused, you do have some time and it's better to be properly prepared for what is ahead.
I have been targeted -- so much so that I am a prisoner in my own home. We are safe here -- for now, but as soon as I set foot outside my home I am in great danger. While you may find it difficult to believe, there are things in this multiverse that are more powerful than I am. And right now, it seems that many of them want me gone. Your current abilities are still believed to be too insignificant to be bothered with. He is expecting and is prepared to deal with powerful creatures such as myself and others. And he too sees you as "nary insects" whereas I do not.
Vassago takes his time to measure the words spoken carefully. He then nods his head as it made sense to him.
Ahh ... so the yellow-skinned were the Xaositects. I will be more certain to be indiscriminate in my actions shall I encounter them again. I will expect no mercy nor will I spare them, he replied with a snarl.
I am hopeful that the two individuals of which you speak who've managed to survive are formidable against the line of adversaries I suspect we will be encountering. I assume that we shall meet them soon before we disembark for the first key here on Mechanus?
He pauses, then asks, are you expecting us to gather all the keys?
"Ooh, I bet they're all different colors! Oh, I hope the pattern it makes is a pretty one. It'd be so disappointing to go to all the trouble of solving the puzzle and then having it turn out to be all monotone and boring..."When the time is right, you two may be the only ones who will be able to assemble this ... puzzle.
oh gods, the fate of the multiverse is in the hands of crazed halflings.
Vassago grits his teeth.
He pauses, then asks, are you expecting us to gather all the keys?
"Unless others come along, yes."
"Unless others come along, yes."
Carry the one ... seventeen ... or is that eighteen?
"Unless others come along, yes."Carry the one ... seventeen ... or is that eighteen?
EDIT:
"Well, then. No problem. E, fire up the wayback machine.""Your choice, but I understand that your divine spellcasters may need to rest to regain their spells. You may stay here long enough to get your spells if you wish."
"We rested at Turby's in Sigil and I don't believe have used spells since. Have we?" She cocks her head at Vassago and the halflings.
"We rested at Turby's in Sigil and I don't believe have used spells since. Have we?" She cocks her head at Vassago and the halflings."Well, then. No problem. E, fire up the wayback machine.""Your choice, but I understand that your divine spellcasters may need to rest to regain their spells. You may stay here long enough to get your spells if you wish."
"We rested at Turby's in Sigil and I don't believe have used spells since. Have we?" She cocks her head at Vassago and the halflings.
Just a couple of cantrips, but that's negligible. Otherwise a brief rest might be in order by my inner physician as it would allow me to mend a couple of wounds that need licked. It feels like I rode a lame horse; of wonders ceasing to amaze me. He tugs a sleeve of his tunic and stretches his aching limbs. However, I believe he's speaking more to those that channel the divine as they were unable to commune when we were at Sigil, yes?
"Ooh, I bet they're all different colors! Oh, I hope the pattern it makes is a pretty one. It'd be so disappointing to go to all the trouble of solving the puzzle and then having it turn out to be all monotone and boring..."When the time is right, you two may be the only ones who will be able to assemble this ... puzzle.oh gods, the fate of the multiverse is in the hands of crazed halflings.
Vassago grits his teeth.
"I recognize that look!"
"I really don't like it here. I feel all itchy. I'll wait if you want to, but I'd rather find someplace more...normal?"
"There is no 'normal' in the Outer Planes. We should rest and set out in the morning to start collecting keys."
"I really don't like it here. I feel all itchy. I'll wait if you want to, but I'd rather find someplace more...normal?"
We have to collect the first key here on Mechanus. Afterwards, we can leave with no hurries to return. Agreed, little one?