Duke reaches down and takes the amulet off of the dead mayor's neck. "You won't be needing this anymore," he says as he looks at the badge of office.
Then he starts examining his wounds.
Fort save
Tal fully feels the effects of the choking dust from the former mayor. Pulling a potion from his pic he drinks it reducing the lasting effects of the dust.
Lesser restoration
I have another potion should someone need it. Hopefully we don’t run into any more of these creatures draining our vitality.
Noah manages to hold his breath and over his mouth with his arm as the mayor explodes. He then approaches and pulls out a wand "I can help with some of those wounds." He then begins using the wand on him.
"Oh, I have the wand of restoration." Richard pulls it out. "Sherix, hand this to Noah. My Constitution is taking a beating!"
Noah takes the new wand and uses it on Richard and hands it back to Sherix.
Noah points to the corridor to the right, "Why don't we check down there and make sure nothing can get behind us?"
I think we have cleared it all that way. At least it was since we came back from dropping off the noble kids. Let's press on down this larger hallway (F16) deeper into the complex.
Tal will lead with Duke so he can search for traps and Tal can open any doors or provide other support.
"Sounds good."
Duke checks ahead for any signs of trouble.
A large number of tools, cleaning supplies, and lengths of crystal and metal tubing are stored in this fifteen-foot-high chamber.
The walls of this fifteen-foot-high storeroom, as well as the tools and repair supplies on its shelves, are coated with condensation. The air is wet with clouds of steam.
As soon as you open the door, the steam shrieks and yells!
Richard tries to listen for the source of the noise.
Sherix also looks.
Tal looks at the others as the ?steam? starts making noise. I have heard of boiling water whistling but not shrieking. What in the hells is going on this time?
"The steam is... alive? You hear this, boss?" Sherix buzzes about.
Not sure what to do with living steam, Duke steps back.
Do I stab it with my sword or should we just leave and close the door?
"Maybe we just close this door." Richard leans for the doorknob. "I have no idea how to fight it."
Richard and Sherix seem to remember some mephits could be made of steam...
"Ah... wait. Steam mephits. Quite weak, but they tend to send boiling rain upon their foes. Can anyone protect us against fire? Otherwise we should take minimal injury from them."
Tal looks at Richard like he said something ridiculous when in reality Tal just doesn’t know any better. Steam mephits? That sounds amazing and if we take minimal damage from them then why provoke them. Any chance we could take one and take it with us?
Looking at the steam Tal calls out, Hey steam mephit…I have a job for you if you are looking for one. I have a whole building that needs hot water and steam to heat the place if you are interested. Think we can come to an arrangement? I wonder what Lily will honk when I tell her that she doesn’t have to boil water to wash clothes anymore and the orphanage will have hot water? Of course I won’t do anything as dangerous as the mayor with having a pit fiend but a harmless steam mephit could work.
"I am not a fan of being scalded, so if we can just leave them be, that works for me. But if we need to pass through here, we may not have a choice."
Arrangement? What do you propose huuuuman? The air hisses. You are letting the hot air out. Come in. Close the door. We talk?
Tal looks at the others to see if they are ok with this arrangement. Just a minute guys is all. Then we can move on. Tal closes the door mostly but does not let it latch closed as he keeps a toe in the doorway so he is not locked in. I admit I don't even know where to start with negotiations. I have a need and was wondering what it would take to convince you to leave this place and work for me? If it is beyond my ability then I wish you well and will leave.
sense motive
Tal is quite the businessman. Even in the depths of hell this man is on the lookout for new recruits. Are they even listening to him? Or just baiting him into a trap?
We have no doubt we can do whatever task you require of us, but what will you give us in return? The voice hisses.
What is it that you require? Are you interested in money and gems? Are you interested in the sounds of joyous laughter of innocent children? Are you looking to be free of the chains of slavery from this place and wish to be your own master or do you barter in souls? If the first 3 then I am willing to negotiate. The last option I close the door and leave you to your fate down here. We will destroy this place and end this realm to prevent further harm to my city.
diplomacy
We require an environment where we can be ourselves. Can you provide that?
"Can you describe what your needs are? We have access to many resources."
We just want to be in a place where we can be. the steam hisses.
That I can do. I will make sure that there is a space for you to reside at peace in exchange for your services. You will not be bound in service but rather we will mutually work together as equals. If you accept please give me some time to arrange the space. How large of a space will you need so I can be ready?
Tal will give it/them directions for where to report to in 2 weeks once he has made sure the room can withstand water and higher temps along with a pipe to allow hot water to exit the room.
Across the hall is another room. Tal backs away from the steam mephits and heads over there to open that one up once it is cleared for traps.
This chamber looks exactly like the first cooling chamber. There is a lot of steam in the air, and not surprisingly, the steam talks.
Whhooo is intruding on ouuuur kingdom? the steam hisses.
"Greetings, noble creatures of steam and heat!" Richard puts on his salesman hat. "We have quite an offer for you! How would you like to work at a world-class smithery? Blazing red iron dipped into ice cold water produces so much steam it will be like you're at home. It's also doesn't require an infernal duke to keep it going- no, just hard work and glorious sweat!"
"What say you? Interested in our offer?"
Tal looks at Richard’s play with a jaw dropping stunned look. Brilliant. Never thought about having them work at the forge. I like it. Always thinking you are. Tal slaps him in the back in approval and waits to hear if they agree.
At this rate I may have to look into purchasing further properties and investments.
That sounds like good place. We agree to go with you, but woe to you if it is not like you says. We leave now, yes? The air hisses!
Tal isn't sure to thakn Richard or not after hearing that there were now going to be 6 steam mephits working for him at the smithy. While there would be enough work and steam for 2 of them he wasnt sure what 6 would do besides cause problems. That was an issue for another time though. For nowit was enough that they would not attack anyone and possibly be peaceful and an aid later.
Head to the Mainz Street Smithy and I will find work for you in 3 days time. I will let my associates know you are coming so they will expect you. Until then live free.
Tal backs away and returns down the hallway deeper into the complex. If it is all that easy we will survive this and have a steady workforce for all of our endeavors. Remind me to invest in another room for them to live in.
The walls of this large storeroom are decorated with a bewildering array of schematics, diagrams, and strange words and mathematical equations.
Richard takes a look at the Infernal writing.
"Hmm. I think I can read this. One moment."
Noah looks over Richard's shoulder and nods "Infernal. Not a surprise down here."
"Hmm, I can read it, but... I don't understand the significance." The words seem nonsensical. "Anyone skilled in the arcane arts?"
Krayn thinks for a moment.
"Thank you Krayn." Richard ponders. "Hopefully we can banish this devil before it gets it can think straight. I'd rather not fight it."
"Not much else to learn here... shall we move onward?"
This chamber looks much like the others.