Richard pauses to raise a finger in protest... instead he concedes "Well put, Tal." He looks up to the gargoyles and agrees. "Perhaps you could come down so we may continue this discussion? I am on a diet..."
"Do you have both varieties on hand to sample? I am afraid, I am not well versed in the nature of the heart."
We are waiting for Liebdaga to return. It would be rude to leave the table while our host is away. One of gargoyles says. Another one looks at you all sternly and says, Just like it would be rude to spurn an invitation to dine!
We may have to speak our way through this.
"Makes sense. No point being rude." Richard tries to take a spot at the table.
Wait…your waiting for Liebdaga? I thought that he was held captive here? How did he get set free and when is he suppose to arrive? Tal leans over to whisper to Richard, If you have a spare heroism spell I would take that now if Liebdaga is nearby.
"Sadly, I wasted that magic trying to charm a succubus." Richard shrugs. "Seems like we're going to do this the hard way."
Yes, he was here a moment ago! One of the gargoyles replies.
As Richard clambers up to the table, he beholds a most gruesome 'meal'. bloody hearts on carving platters and other organs on serving platters. What do you want first? A slice of Virgin's heart or the stomach of a Paladin? Perhaps something else has caught your fancy?
Richard stiffens up when presented with "food". "You are most gracious hosts. I should admit, I am... unused to this cuisine. Perhaps I can start with a glass of water?"
Richard's mind wracks with indecision.
Water? Water? A gargoyle replies with a laugh. We don't have water! What we do have is the blood of children! He then proceeds to fill a goblet with red liquid and places it in front of Richard.
"You are so kind." Richard hesitates and takes the goblet. Looks at the cursed liquid. "So, how long will this feast last? Surely you must be satisfied. No need to wait for me to eat."
Are these gargoyles real? Do they have a plan besides feasting on decadence? Is there some way to get out of this without tasting this... ugh.
Tal stays down below to what he how Richard was going to get out of this. He crawled up there himself and there was no way Tal was going up there unless it was to smack the gargoyles around and end the feast. His hand is ready on his sword shoukd Richard need any back up though.
Duke stands by, not approaching the disgusting feast, and having no intention of taking part of it.
We go on for hours! Liebdaga is such a gracious and generous host! A toast to our new friend here! They all raise their goblets and look at you to do the same.
"Of course. To good friends!" Richard raises his glass. The smell isn't too bad, but the implications are disgusting.
Richard will pretend to drink up.
Three of the gargoyles cheer when Richard 'takes' his drink. One however sees through the ruse. Hey! He didn't drink! He is mocking us! The three others look sternly at Richard until one says, Is that true? Do you mock us? We show you hospitality and you spurn us. Drink that goblet right now or your corpse will be the next course!
Richard is all smiles as he "drinks up" until one of the gargoyles glares at him.
"Hmm? Oh, you wish for me to take seconds? How kind of you!" Richard realizes he needs more than words, and begins to >Conceal a Spell<.
He casts >Silent Image< and projects himself, happily imbibing his drink. "Hospitality is the greatest gift you could ever offer me!"
Huzzah! For er...What's your name again? One of them asks while the others shout Huzzah! Then one of says, What about your friends? It is rude of them not to partake of this feast, don't you agree?
"Ah yes, call me Emmanuel." Richard smiles. "You will allow my assistant to partake? Oh, you're so kind. They may whisper questions in my ear, if they wish."
Richard projects an image to let "Tal" and "Duke" stand behind him, looking for their seats.
Tal tries to stay silent and unnoticeable as Richard does whatever it is that he needs to do at the moment. Frankly, the fact that they haven’t attacked Richard and tried to eat his heart is impressive already.
Noah moves out of the shadows in the back and stands behind Richard. He then leans forward and whispers in his ear "Should we end this farce and try and remove the illusion?"
"Come, my friends. Sit down at the table, and I'll help you partake of this diabolical feast!" Richard bids everyone to sit (the real people, not the illusions.) Once the gargoyles pour a drink, he projects an illusion of the sinful goblets to replace the real ones. Richard will then try to project an illusion of Tal and Noah drinking merrily before lowering their emptied goblets onto the table.
Looking at Noah and Duke Tal shrugs his shoulders and approaches the table. Climbing up he finally finds a spot to reside as he waits to see how this fare plays out. So when does this meal end?
The gargoyles hoot and holler excitedly as you 'partake' of the meal. As you 'drink' from each glass, a gargoyle fills it with a never-ending decanter. So.. one of the gargoyles asks, Have any of you feasted on the pickled feet of children?
"Hmm, I'm afraid not. My friends and I are on a strict diet." He grins and watches the gargoyles scowl. "If you have some I'll gladly partake. Just don't tell my diet coach." He laughs.
Once he finishes "eating" their disgusting meal, he coughs. "Now then, my gracious hosts. My friends and I have another appointment to attend to. We had an incredible time here. Please pass on my compliments to the chef."
Even though the meal itself never seems to finish, the gargoyles are satisfied by your appetites. Huzzah for our new friends! they shout as you rise from the table. Please come back soon!
"We certainly will!" Richard smiles and then motions to his allies. "Which way shall we go, gentlemen? Let us leave our hosts for a bit while we attend to the next appointment."
Richard points towards F27. "Let us be off. I need to get some air after the... unique cuisine. Let's say my appetite is satisfied for quite some time."
Tal claps the charismatic Richard ont he back. Don't know how you pulled that one off but excellent job. I thought for sure that we were going to end up having to save your heart there for a while.
"Something tells me he would have been the main course. Not the first time someone's checked his purity." Sherix breaks her silence to crack a joke.
Won't be the last time either. Maybe we need to work on his image a bit more, do you think? Roughen him up a bit to make him seem more worldly and less saintlike. Could be that image of a halo on his head too that gives off that that impression. Tal gives Richard a good natured ribbing but actually respects the man for standing up to his morals and virtues.
A brilliantly glowing, fifty-foot-long pool of molten gold bubbles in the floor of this immense cathedral-like space. The walls rise high on either side to a vaulted ceiling thick with carvings of leering devils, while to the south a towering pair of glowing stained glass windows depicting a huge devil with a hideous scar across his midsection stands before a bloodstained altar. To either side, towering arched mirrors reflect eight different hellscapes, each more dismal and harrowing than the last.
"I'm just glad I'm not greedy for money, or I'd try to take a bath." Richard presses on.
Tal looks at the mirrors and ruminates aloud. I thought there were only 7 levels of hell. Why are there 8 mirrors then and what happens if you break one?
As if asking aloud for answers Tal stops in his tracks and shakes his head in dismay. Richard you still have that Erinyes head? Think she might know anything about this place. I can’t believe we forgot all about her.
"I could use a good cheer." He reaches for the devil head.
He tries to think about the planar significance of this room.
As Richard studies the mirrors, the head berates him.
Finally you let me out of that bag! I am surprised you are all still alive. Some of you are missing, did you kill them? The head looks at Noah and Duke, Run before these two get you killed too!
I am sorry Khazrae that you have been treated so. The last 2 weeks have been…different to say the least. That still doesn’t give us the right to forget about you. As for Mera and Edric they are still alive and together. These others are Noah and Duke.
Diplomacy
Is there some way we can keep you out of the bag? I know they make a shield sconce for torches…perhaps we can affix something like that for you to rest on without falling off?
"Maybe we'd keep you out the bag if you could shush a bit more." Richard gets a strange feeling but shakes it off.
Tal will fill Duke and Noah in on exactly who Khazrae is and how they came across her. She has been most helpful in the past and is a trove of knowledge.
So, Khazrae, does this place look familiar to you or can you help us understand what we are seeing? Is there any significance to the 8 mirrors and the pool of molten gold or the depiction of the demon with a scar?
You only talk to me when you need something. Its never 'Hey! How are you today?' 'Where would you like to go today?' it is only 'What can you tell us about so-and-so!' The head blows raspberries. She looks at Noah and Duke, They tell you those two are off living the good life, but have you seen them? Run!
She studies the mirrors. It looks like all of the layers of hell except the realm of Nesses. It must be missing in deference to Asmodeus.
The head starts to scream! Ah! I am being tortured by a Pit Fiend with a horribly scared belly! Save Me! Save Me! It is now looking at me! At us! We are all doomed! Doomed I tell you!
The mirror disappears and an empty alcove appears behind it.
Doomed... The head mutters.
Tell you what Khazrae, if Richard so approves, I will bring you with me and I will show you my home and let you speak with my wife. She is a caring soul and may appreciate the companionship. The caveat is that I will need to cover your eyes so you do not know exactly where I live. I will not take the chance of that being found out and having my wife become a hostage. How does this sound to you? Otherwise I will see what I can do to attach something on my shield so you are free to rest there.
When she starts screaming about the pit fiend Tal moves to shield her bodily from the depiction of the devil. What is it Khazrae? Looking to the others Tal asks, Do you think this is another haunt? We have been beset by them before and I can never tell what is happening!
Sherix examines her nails, pleased with the talking head's fate. She wishes she could banish the thing. "Can anyone shut it up? Every demon in the manor will know we're here."
Richard silently puts up with the devil head and casts Detect Magic upon the hallway. Did Khazrae see something he didn't?
Richard scans the mirror Khazrae glanced at before panicking.
Duke just watches in stunned silence. This is a very interesting, if not disturbing, group of people.
"What was the point of all of that?" Duke carefully checks the alcove just revealed, to see what else may be revealed.
(+2 vs traps)
As Duke enters the alcove the head reveals, he feels a brief, but strong pang of despair as he crosses the threshold. He searches the the alcove but finds nothing of value.
Tal is clearly out of his league here and he knows it. Until the others have some idea what is going on he will keep shield and sword ready while trying to find out exactly what Khazrae saw. Settle down Khazrae we are not doomed. Yep me what you saw and then we can work on figuring out what it means and how to finish this place off.