"Don't you dare die. We have places to explore. And you've not experienced my hospitality in Riddleport yet."
Asht'el's frustration mounts, but at himself this time. "I misspoke again. Of course, I am in. I will do all can to stop the drow from raining destruction down on our world. Maybe a better way to ask the question is, will the elves of Kyonin assist or accompany us? Aside from the magical aid they have already provided."
As he processes what Xiddik has said, he adds, "I completely agree, Xiddik. Well, at least I think I do. And I definitely agree with Randall - let's not die, any of us."
Xiddik grimaces, rubbing the back of her neck. "This is...what I mean. You make life complicate, you lot. All your attachedments, your drive to...live. Sometimes I think we're fighting different wars. Do you really believe we can...win against the drow?"
Jametor frowns.
"We may not prevail against the horde of drow, but we know, not all the drow agree with the plan. Yet, I do not think we can consider any to be our ally. Perhaps the enemy of my enemy is my friend? As much as the drow can have friends. I don't know if the first daughter would allow us to contact her, because if we attack Allevrah, she would benefit. Perhaps we can convince her to keep the other houses off our backs?" He says thoughtfully.
"Sounded like she might be the sort to aid us without admitting it. I've seen some of that in Riddleport - what do they call it again?" He taps his forehead with a finger, "When they deny they had anythign to do with your actions even though they planned it from the beginning? Anyway, I can see her being like that."
"But are we even able to contact her to discuss the potential?"
"It seems dangerous," interjects Fíriel, "but we haven't exactly been leading a safe life these past few months."
She frowns slightly at Xiddik, studying the kobold for a moment before speaking again. "Are your people really that different, Xiddik? I mean... I mean with attachments and drive to live?"
Xiddik shrugs. "I haven't been in touch with my people since...in a long, long time. It is..." She appears to struggle with the words for a moment. "It is not 'kobold' to be brave, to war, to seek revenge. It is kobold to run. Fight. Die."
The only creatures known to be native to the region are aberrant neothelids and the charda.
"I'm afraid I must ask you to put yourselves in danger one more time", Queen Telandia finally admits. "You are more powerful than even my mightiest champions and more experienced in dealing with these dark elves. I could have my generals marshal an army suitable for the task but it would take weeks at best - time I'm afraid we don't have. And I am certain such an effort would spread untold panic throughout Kyonin"
At the question of aid the queen regains her composure and resumes summarizing what she knows.
"Those notes you recovered indicate that for large events, multiple earthfall glyphs are required — one master glyph surrounded by a number of smaller focus glyphs. Each of the focus glyphs serves as a power source for the master glyph, and each focus glyph offers some sort of different protective ward to the master glyph. Destroying the master glyph isn’t possible until all of its focus glyphs are gone. Unfortunately, the types of wards Allevrah’s chosen for her focus glyphs, as well as the number of them she’s built in the Land of Black Blood, aren’t indicated in the documents. They mention some methods by which earthfall glyphs can be destroyed but until Allevrah’s specific glyphs can be studied up close, the exact methods will remain unknown. The only option, it seems, is to send a team down into the Land of Black Blood to find the earthfall glyphs, destroy them, and defeat Allevrah. I truly believe that our best chance of averting this catastrophe lies with all of you."
"Of course I would see you all property equipped for this quest. Kyonin's vaults are open to you."
Xiddik weighs what she knows of the Land of Black Blood, as well as the new information the queen provides. "I have been to the Land of Black Blood," she says at last. "But never far in, and only once. I have never seen Lotlom Ved Vahriz, the lake at its center. I entered by chance in my younger days. Accident, I guess. It is a cold and fe...fe...fetused place. Agh. What is that word—means 'rotting'?"
Absently, "Fetid, I think."
"Fetid. I knew it. So if we do not know how to destroy the...'glyphs', what do we do when we find them? Throw the bar at it? Er, bear. Bar?" Xiddik looks to the others. "I feel like people keep saying it different."
"Now that we know what you mean, Queen Telandia," Asht'el replies, "I am ready to help. And if Jametor comes along, he can destroy just about anything if he sets his mind to it."
Glancing at Xiddik, he explains, "We only say it different when he's behaving different. Sometimes he's a bear, sometimes a bar. But I'm not sure throwing him at one of these glyphs will do much - though the glyph in question might feel like it had fulfilled its duty, of attracting something massive from far away."
Fíriel giggles at Asht'el's witticism, and Prickles gives a little grunt-squeak of approval.
"Well, now, not everything, but enough." Jametor corrects Asht'el.
"Fetid. I knew it. So if we do not know how to destroy the...'glyphs', what do we do when we find them? Throw the bar at it? Er, bear. Bar?" Xiddik looks to the others. "I feel like people keep saying it different."
"Your information references dozens of different types of glyphs each requiring specific magical counter measures. I am afraid you will have to study each glyph in person - unless you can get more information from Allevrah's minions within the Land of Black Blood. Physical destruction should work but might come with dangerous consequences. I would suggest resorting to physical means only as a last resort."
Jametor shrugs and nods to his companions.
"Time is wasting I guess, probably should get geared up and move out."
Prickles jumps out from behind Fíriel to squeak his agreement. His face is the picture of ferocity, half-covered by a grim-looking skull mask which leaves only his vicious little teeth exposed.
"Well, I share your thinking, about physical means as a last resort," Asht'el concurs, "I leave that kind of thing to Njord and our small friends." The ifrit's coal-black eyes widen a moment before a broad smile crosses his face at the sight of Prickles. Chuckling briefly, he adds, "Oh, and Prickles too, of course."
"I've seen a thing or two about glyph traps. I'll need a couple of things, but I'll be ready to go quickly."
***
A handful of days later the party, armed to the gills via Kyonin's armory, returns to the throne room, prepared for the final leg of their quest. Waiting for them is another active Elfgate, tended by a dozen elven mages and their queen.
"I will be in touch", Queen Telandia says over the loud hum of the portal. "If nothing else through magical sending. I will try to send additional aid but I cannot promise much."
After spending a full day equipping themselves for the battles to come the party meets Queen Telandia once again within her throne room. This time she is joined by a dozen robed figures, visibly ancient in the ethereal way that elves age.
One silently hands Asht'el a sealed scrollcase before rejoining its peers in a ring around the party. Queen Telandia steps down from her throne as robed elves begin a soft chant.
"That is the most complete map we have of the Land of Black Blood. I hope it does you some good. My archmages are going to try to drop you away from the more dangerous-sounding landmarks but magical travel via secondhand information is often unreliable. Try to find someplace safe enough to set up camp sooner rather than later. If nothing else it will help with giving my mages someplace consistent to scry should you need additional supplies teleported down."
Xiddik rolls her eyes. Right, like Ash knows what to figure with 'at map. He'd like-as-not burn it as read it rightly.
"Should we amputate being teleported right in the midst of enemies?" Xiddik asks. She pauses, cocking her head. "Anticipate. I knew that."
Jametor studies the throne room, anticipating an emergency teleport away if needed.
He nods his head at the camp idea. "Not sure a safe place exists in that dark world." he says.
Xiddik flashes Jametor an impressed grin. "You're learning!"
"Should we amputate being teleported right in the midst of enemies?" Xiddik asks. She pauses, cocking her head. "Anticipate. I knew that."
"We have no way of knowing I'm afraid. Going in prepared for danger would not be unwise."
Asht’el accepts the offered scroll, his eyes briefly flaring with golden fire as he imagines what powerful spell it might contain. When the queen explains what it is, he shrugs and hands it to Jametor, remarking, ”If there is a safe place on this map, you’re more likely to find it than I am. Reading was never really my thing.”
Randall signs and nods at the wisdom of such a plan, drawing his sword and preparing to dodge aside once they hit the ground below.
Xiddik's eyes narrow as the map continues to orbit the person see sees as its rightful owner. But she says nothing. After a moment, her simple green gown turns into a deep crimson bustled dress, with a thin black veil over her eyes. "I'm ready," she says quietly.
Jametor looks at the map then looks at Xiddik.
"Um..perhaps we should let the most experienced in the darkworld look at the map first.I can certainly hold if needed with my other scrolls and books, and I stand by to assist" Jametor says, his voice trailing off at the end as he realizes he is babbling a bit. He hands the map to Xiddik.
Xiddik brightens slightly as her ego is appeased, and she accepts the map. "Very good, then."
"Hmm, hadn't thought of that," Asht'el says, running a hand through his hair absentmindedly as Jametor gives the map to Xiddik.
Xiddik gives a curiously Jametor-like smirk as she tucks the map into her pack.
Fíriel draws a dagger with one hand and holds the other out in a guarding position. Crouching slightly so as to be light on her feet, she smiles at Randall and gives a quick nod of readiness.
Jametor takes the best ready pose he can. It looks a lot very silly though.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Xiddik giggles. She looks over Jametor, but doesn't say anything.
The mages' chanting reaches a crescendo and suddenly the world around the party blurs and the familiar vertigo of magical transportation hits them all at once. In an instant the shining elven palace fades from view and in its place is expansive darkness stretching as far as the eye can see. The smell of floral perfumes is similarly replaced by the scent of stagnant water, ammonia, and rotting plant matter. The oppressive darkness is held at bay, barely, by the soft glow of bio luminescent fungus high overhead.
The party appears to be alone.
Prickles peers cautiously out from behind Fíriel's leg as the halfling studies the group's new surroundings.
Randall immediately searches their immediate area to make sure they haven't landed among traps.
"Too bad we didn't get drow forms again as itchy as they were, but the darkvision was helpful. Luckily, I prepared a scroll, but I'll need more, I suspect this won't be a one day trip." Jametor whispers to the others.
Xiddik's eyes narrow as she stares out into the gloom. "Wide space," she mutters. "We should get to a wall."
Xiddik peers down at the ground, which is essentially all she can make out. "Oha i reira...Rere rorirori, hoa," she mutters.
Asht'el has no trouble seeing in the darkness - but that doesn't help him a great deal. "I agree, Xiddik, let's find some cover."