The elven enchantress turns to look toward Qhude. Her eyebrows furrow as she sees the gemstones circling over his head. "Huh. I've heard of magical gemstones that orbit your head," she observes.
Ansha heads back to the center hallway, remaining outside of magical aura outlining the doorway to Qhude's room. "Good idea, Qhude," she says. "I think you should be fine. Those gemstones should deflect whatever traps may be there. Well, assuming that it was agate and not malachite...."
Qhude moved over to stand on the engraved spiral, which pressed down gently into the stone floor below under his weight. A great rumble reverberated through the walls, floor and ceiling of this level of the pyramid, and the Bas'o felt a tremor of trepidation pass through him as well...
The rumbling reached a crescendo as, from the very wall of the structure, three magical tendrils lashed out like a whip, each one touching one of the three stones circling Qhude's head for a moment. A mere moment later, the rumbling became a dull roar, as all three of the gargoyle-like heads became a conduit for three powerful, elemental blasts; a constant stream of acid and fire from each of the heads flanking the central one, which intermittently spat bolts of lightning. The entire brunt of the assault was focused upon Qhude and the symbol he stood upon, and yet he felt no burns; he simply stood, unhurt and weathering the terrifying fury unleashed upon him. The fire licked at his flesh, but did not burn him. The acid made him damp, but fell off him like rain, seeming almost repelled by his body. The bolts of lightning were diverted from him, repulsed from their original arcs and slamming into the ground by his feet instead.
As though the initial blasts were merely a test, after a few seconds, their intensity increased tenfold; to those watching, Qhude was almost impossible to spot in the elemental maelstrom. It seemed that no man could have a chance to survive such a hellish onslaught.
After half a minute of this fury had passed, a fierce could be heard as the stone Qhude stood on was shattered beneath the assault. As though a mystical seal was somehow broken, as soon as the first crack appeared in the stone, a large section of it followed, disintegrated by the power of the blasts.
Qhude was left standing upon freshly uncovered mud, previously obscured by the stone he was stood upon. The roar of the three elements ceased and a moment later, the three charred, near-shattered and drained stones clattered onto the mud next to him.
Ansha seems unconcerned as the mechanism activates and Qhude is obscured by flame, acid and lightning--if anything, she looks fascinated by the display of raw power. 'Ooooo'ing appreciatively, she winces and falls silent at the loud . As the magic ends, she looks toward the door to see whether it opened.
"Impressive. And that's...mud? I wonder if there might be something buried in there," she says.
Qhude simply stood for a span of seconds after it had ended, holding his hands before him as though in disbelief that they were still a part of his body. Taking a knee he retrieves the ruin of the three gemstones that girded his form and puts them reverently into a pocket of his shorts. Casually he calls to Ansha "Malachite?" before turning and raising an eyebrow at her equally valid suggestion that was proven wrong.
Keeping his kneeling position, he follows up on Ansha's suggestion - and sifts through the surface mud for any sign of hidden tokens...
The elf smiles and shrugs. "It seemed like a good idea at the time?"
Qhude sifts through for a short time, but quickly realises the mud seems to be rather deep; while he gets dirty, he also realised that it would take some time to dig like this.
His chain of though is interrupted by the CLICK-CLACK of mandibles nearby; the beetle upon the pedestal has begun to move and seems to be slowly growing larger...
Thought of responding to Ansha dissipates at the clacking of the mandibles. Returning to his feet and backing away, Qhude readies his guisarme and waits to see if the beetle means ill...
N'bellocq strains to resist to go see the light show in the other room, and is rewarded for his efforts by seeing no change in his room. He relaxes a bit once he hears Qhude's voice, but retains his post until someone calls for him or there is obvious trouble.
Left to its own devices, the beetle grew to be as large as a cat before it aggressively fell upon the uncovered earth; and began to burrow at great speed.
In several minutes, the beetle had uncovered a metal wheel and completely cleared a path for Qhude to reach down and turn it, if he so wished. The beetle watched him with unblinking eyes.
Circling around the hole Qhude puts both the beetle and the handle-less door within his sight, speaking loudly as he does "The beast has uncovered a wheel of some kind... It could be the means to open the door" and he obliges the beetle, reaching into the fresh-dug burrow and turning the metal wheel.
Ansha nods her agreement. "Do it," she says. "It's no doubt a piece of the puzzle, at the least."
"What is this place? Puzzles in Azlant, more magic than you see in a year in Absalom. Wheels literally within wheels. Bound demons and wax golems? The expense must have been enormous. But why? To what end?"
"I suppose that depends on whether the safeguards were put in place before or after the fighting. Defenses for those who lived within and their possessions? Or wards to prevent anyone from reaching him who was imprisoned here? And to protect him from intruders, or the outside world from his release, I wonder?" she asks wryly.
The elf glances over her shoulder. "It's hard to say. But we can say that they seem to be wards to prevent things from getting in. Beyond that? There's only one way to find out."
"Wards indeed. These are not barriers.....they are locks...only letting the right people in.. so far Qhude looks to be 'right people' but I wonder how long that will last. And what will happen when we fail to pick the next lock."
Kieran remains with N'bellocq, despite a somewhat growing feeling of boredom at the quietness of the room they are in. He does react to the sounds and lights coming from the other room, but once they all subside and no cries of agony follow, he relaxes considerably. "Ansha," he calls out to the elven sorceress, "were you able to decipher anything about the writing in this room? And is everything alright over there?"
Ansha strides confidently into the room now that it seems that the danger has passed, curious to see the wheel up close. "Everything's fine over here. Qhude's found a wheel of some sort--we think it's a mechanism to open the door," Ansha calls back. "And no, I didn't really look. I'll get to it in a moment."
The large iron doors opened ominously, revealing another chamber of similar size and dimensions behind it. Following the opening of the door and floating just beyond the frame, were four spheres of copper and bronze. Each bore a single, metallic framed, unblinking glass eye that followed Ansha's progress into the room and noted Qhude. Each had two small, clawed hands; but they were held out in front of them as though signalling for peace. When they moved, it was movement completely devoid of noise and utterly smooth.
As one, they spoke; loud enough for their voices to resonate and be heard by the others, easily echoing throughout the stone chambers. Their voices were tinny and metallic as they spoke; as though being projected from inside a great suit of armour.
Welcome. Please gather your companions for routine inspection. Angazhanites are a threat to all of us. Your co-operation is both assumed and appreciated.
Ansha arches an eyebrow at Qhude, then glances toward the hallway. "Come on in, guys," she says, eyes on the odd spheres. "I don't think they're hostile."
Yet, anyway...
Qhude stands, but keeps a firm grip upon his guisarme as he steps forward to be the first 'inspected'. The mention of Anghazan was not lost upon him and he speaks without turning his head "The words are strange... but I think they seek to prove we are not akin to the Bandu."
"How will they determine that, I wonder?" Tebati frowns, wrapping her fingers around her holy symbol distractedly. "And what sort of creatures are they?" She doesn't move any closer until N'bellocq and Kieran join her from the other chamber.
Qhude stands warily with furrowed brow before answering "I know not Sangoma..."
With the group gathered, the glass eye of the central floating orb seemed to shimmer with power for a moment. It seemed to bob up and down as though nodding in satisfaction.
Thank you. No taint detected. This one would ask of you; are you members in good standing of the Order of Arioch? What is your purpose here?
Ansha shares a glance with Tebati. "It has been centuries since the order last was aware of your presence. Only recently was the edifice rediscovered. We are here to investigate the pyramid's stockpiles," Ansha replies. "What can you tell us about your own initial purpose? As I said, it has been centuries, and records are not as complete as they once were."
These outsiders are Inevitables, servants and creations of the Axiotes (the LN Outsiders, like Angels are the LG) built to enforce their will and laws. While these are the least powerful of such inevitables and often serve as familiars to Wizard's who have proven themselves worthy, they can always sense the closest non-arbiter inevitable on the plane to themselves.
You know the details of both its type and subtype, and you also know the following; arbiter's are nimble, vigilant, perceptive, extremely stealthy, persuasive and skilled at fly-by attacks. Despite their tiny size, they are about as strong as an average man. While charismatic, their other mental faculties are not particularly special. They are able to communicate with almost any creature via Truespeech and they are particularly hard for Chaos-aligned people or creatures to fool. They can disable themselves for 24 hours in order to release an burst of electrical energy.
They are the scouts and diplomats of the inevitable race. You and the group were just scanned by a Detect Chaos spell-like ability.
The three floating orb's seemed to communicate with one another, in a fast and furious flurry of strange, metallic sounds. The central one spoke again-
Very well. We sense no deceit in your words. We were given only the information needed to serve our purpose- that should any member of the Order someday return, we were to check for the taint of Chaos and vigorously question any with such taint for affiliation with the Angazhanites, consulting with our Cassissian allies for this purpose should it prove necessary.
Despite the centuries, true members of the Order should find this level of the structure easy to bypass; it was once a defensive gauntlet to protect the lower levels and was re-fitted when the structure was abandoned. Contingencies are however, in place should other parties than the Order discover its location over the centuries.
The inevitable to the right of the speaker paused for a moment, looking over Ansha's face carefully. When it spoke, there was a hardness to its voice.
This one finds it almost-mathematically impossible that your records showed evidence of this structure's location or contents at all, beyond the need for its protection. The reasons for this would be obvious; if you are indeed descendants of the Order. As a show of faith, you will explain to us the reasons why there would be no written records speaking of this pyramid. This one would also ask that you justify your own presence, along with the Half-Elf. The Order of Arioch consisted of humans alone- Azlant and those who are now known as Mwangi.
"I am but simply a servant," the elf demurs. Of myself, she silently adds, then continues, "A herald, much as you yourselves are. The half-elf is my bodyguard--and the shamaness's...companion."
She glances at Qhude, wondering if his brush with the pool's magic gave him any particular insight into this Order's existence and the pyramid's purposes. "As for the lack of records: I had meant oral tradition and memories. But as you say, it should be obvious why there are no written records. It was hidden for a purpose, though we no longer know the precise reasons why. But nonetheless, it is obvious that the order did not wish it discovered by the wrong parties--such as the Angazhanites."
Qhude eyes the beings warily as he measures their words. Carefully he adds a question to Ansha's explanation "Are we the first to come during your watch?"
Tebati can't help but smirk a bit when Ansha is required to justify her presence, but she keeps her lips tight and her eyes wary. She lies, and we are roped into backing her deception. If her web collapses in upon her, we will all be entangled in it.
N'bellocq stands calmly and relaxed, but very carefully watching the eyes' movements, judging their ability to maneuver.
Catch a monkey...catch a floating metallic eyeball
The arbiters stared at Ansha for some time before chirping between themselves for a moment more. The central arbiter eventually replied.
Your answers fall into acceptable parameters. A servant possessing a bodyguard where the master does not seems illogical to us. You would do well to let your master, this shamaness, speak for you in future; servant. The hierarchy must be respected.
You are indeed the first to come before us. Having verified your allegiance, we are satisfied that you mean to bring no woe upon the Order. You may proceed. Though we know not what further defences were put in place by your predecessors. We three units have fulfilled our tasks. We will be returned to our masters. Do you require anything further from us?
Ansha bristles inwardly, forcing a smile. "It is the lady's prerogative that I speak for her," she responds. Continuing before Tebati can gainsay her, she adds, "One final question: what is in the room on the other side of the corridor behind us?"
Further verification. They are expecting you.
As though summoned to another plane, the three Arbiters slowly disappeared, leaving an empty room. The heavy metal double door to the north swung open.
Ansha twists her lips into a scowl. "Perfect. A welcoming committee," she says. Heading for the northern double door to get a better look inside, she adds, "Well, we shouldn't keep them waiting."
Qhude holds up a hand to give Ansha pause for a moment before speaking "Wait Ansha, we should speak on what the balls of metal had to say before we move on. They spoke of an Order of 'Ar-ee-och'? - where Mwangi and this 'Azs-lant' stood side by side against those who follow the demon ape."
Sighing as Ansha's final question had already dismissed the arbiters "We could have asked why the ones who were here before left... had we the chance."
"You are the one who told us of Arioch," Tebati points out to Qhude. "The statue upstairs: 'Arioch, Venerable Founder of Our Order,'" she reminds him. "The images on the wall," she turns to Ansha, "did it not appear to you that the dissension arose from within the order? Could Angazhan have attained such influence among the people of this pyramid? I know of no one but savages like the Bandu who follow him. Why would people who could do this," she gestures to indicate the advanced magic and technology of the pyramid, "bow to one who would reduce them to cattle?"
"... Why would people who could do this," she gestures to indicate the advanced magic and technology of the pyramid, "bow to one who would reduce them to cattle?"
"Fear...greed...lust...people will bend their necks for the yoke all to readily."
"Of course I expect the ape tailored the message. Perhaps offering the gift of 'real' 'honest' strength as opposed to all these trappings?"
"I could see some bored and disgruntled Azlanti and Mwangi taking that offer. And once the hook is set...."
Jakob takes care not to look at Qhude as he says this.
Qhude's brow wrinkles in thought before nodding on Tebati's better memory. "But there are two paths... we have followed one, while N'Bellocq looked to the other... If those balls of metal were put to guard... are there others like them on the other side?"
"There's something with similar purposes over on the other side," Ansha replies as she peers into the room past the recently-opened double doors. "Whether they are more arbiters or something else, who knows? So far, we've encountered a daemon and a trio of inevitables. I wonder what's next? Nine archons?"
"Although it would be interesting if they were proteans..."
Tebati looks blankly at Ansha, who might as well be speaking Elven. "Before we go on," she says pointedly, "perhaps we should agree what our answer will be, should we be questioned again. We cannot continue to pass ourselves off as members of an order whose goals and precepts are unknown to us. Eventually, we will be posed a question we cannot answer or bluff our way past."
Ansha scoffs. "I got us this far, haven't I? Trust me. My tongue will see us through this." She winks.
Qhude's face hardens "Your words, had they been followed, would have seen me burned to ash. Do not think that you speak for me Ansha. If wards there are ahead... it would be better for Sangoma's tongue to be heard. The balls of metal themselves told that no elf was part of the Order."
"And yet I was able to convince them to let us pass, was I not?" the elf retorts. "What answer is there to give? All we know of this order is that it was composed of humans and apparently fought against demon-worshipers."
"Your tongue can make bread and water sound as sumptuous as a king's banquet. You speak on our behalf, but you do not think for us, judge for us. If we are to put our trust in your tongue, then it must tell tales we all of us agree to. If we knew more of this order, we might hope to trick the guardians, but we do not even know their purpose, why this pyramid was built and then abandoned. The metal creatures, they said they were satisfied that we meant no woe to the Order; perhaps it is enough to present ourselves as enemies of the Ravenous King. If we claim to be of their order and are caught in a lie, will we not be suspected of being Angazhan's agents and infiltrators?"
Ansha sighs. "You heard the arbiters yourselves. There are contingencies in place should 'other parties than the order' discover the structure. I never said that we were of the order; I avoided answering that question at all. But if I flat-out say that we are not of the order, I fear that we will be in for a fight."
"I know I am merely a bodyguard and... ahem, our esteemed leader's companion," Kieran quips in amusement before looking at Tebati and winking, "but I do not see much reason for an argument here. We agree to avoid explicitly stating we are of this Order of Arioch and just identify ourselves as enemies of Angazhan and his followers. Not exactly a falsehood, is it?"
The half-elf shrugs. "Perhaps the whole 'enemy of my enemy' and so on will be enough. If not, we could always give bending the truth a little further a try. And if that does not work next time and we have to fight, well... I mean, if it cannot be helped that is."
"There is, however, the question of whether we try to decipher the riddle in the other room as well? Or do we proceed this way?"
"Best to keep on. We can be thorough once we have found the exit. Or at least a source of food."
"True," Tebati sighs. "Everything we've met so far is made of either metal or wax ... or has faded away into nothingness. This whole place feels sterile and barren, unwelcoming to life and nature. I am not sure my goddess's magic will be effectual in here. My spell was useless against the wax men." She turns back to Ansha. "If your tongue trips you up, all of us are at risk. At least consult with us before you decide to wager our lives on your lies. When I gamble, I want a say in the bet; I won't simply hand you the dice and blithely let you use your own judgment." She gestures to the open doors with a wry smile on her face. "Lead on, servant," she invites Ansha with a mock air of superiority.
Ansha flashes a saccharine smile on Tebati before turning back to the room beyond the double doors.