"A hooded skeletal figure that mans a skiff to sail the planes." the cacodaemon answers directly and indirectly.
"Oh, you mean that craven coward who fled from my blade?? Yes, I recall him. He is your master? What a sad fate to be enslaved to such a weak being"
Gabriel moves up and down on his fingers in a display reminiscent of shrugging.
Can I have the body when you are done?
"A hooded skeletal figure that mans a skiff to sail the planes." the cacodaemon answers directly and indirectly.
"What is his name, Insect!?" VEsta says testily.
The cacodaemon is relaxed despite your aggression towards it and merely responds in a relaxed tone "I was sent to talk, but I don't like your tone. More words may come if your etiquette improves..."
The cacodaemon is relaxed despite your aggression towards it and merely responds in a relaxed tone "I was sent to talk, but I don't like your tone. More words may come if your etiquette improves..."
"Can I tourture it?" vesta says to Daemon specifically, but it's also directed to the group in general.
"Let us hear what it has been sent to say first, then we will decide if it is worth the trouble."
Telepathically to all via gabe, but specifically talking to Daemon ::I could try to posess it. Sometimes I can pull information from their minds when I take them over. Just a thought. ::
The ball of teeth continues to relaxedly await your decision.
"Tell us this message from your master... please." I say to the being.
"We can use your plan as backup." I think to Vesta.
The cacodaemon speaks "My master was commissioned with a task, which has now been rendered moot. He would seek to turn your ire from himself and unto that which hired him... and he offers passage..."
At the same time, in Vesta and Daemon's minds echoes a thought You are welcome to try...
"Who is it that hired him, and where exactly will this passage take us?"
A wry smile crosses what the ball of teeth holds for a mouth "Surely you know? - you have master's book yes?"
When the creatures speaks into her mind she make's a very unladylike gesture in the creatures direction.
Gathroc listens to the Daemon, then replies "Perhaps we can work together. Tell us the terms of your master, what does he seek our aid in and what is he willing to offer in return for our help. Once known, we will discuss acceptance."
"Yes, please enlighten us to how your master will assist us, and perhaps then we can free him from payment to *his* master. Certainly he wouldn't mind that, no?"
Grigore sets his hand on Gathroc's shoulder, smiling at the tooth-daemon as he hisses a hint of kindness that can only be a lie.
"My master is not endebted... at least not anymore... however he does consider leaving behind aggressive parties unwise. His terms would be thus: he provides you access to the Crown's domain. In exchange, you forswear any action against him with respect to his previous visit here. No more, no less."
What do the rest of you think? A way into their facility could be useful, but I am wary of a trap...
::Paranoia has been good to me thus far, so I always assume a trap. Regardless, the little $&^* hasn't told us what he wants or what his master will do.::
::This is troublesome indeed. Tactically speaking, this is likely one of the worst things we could possibly do. I suppose, if worse comes to worst, though, you could use that travel method you've been doing lately.::
::This is troublesome indeed. Tactically speaking, this is likely one of the worst things we could possibly do. I suppose, if worse comes to worst, though, you could use that travel method you've been doing lately.::
::Fine by me:: Vesta thinks, her hood writhing of it's own accord.
Gathroc is still a bit unconvinced "So your master will somehow provide us access to the Crown's domain, and in return wants us to seek no further justice against him for his attack here? I am not sure why we would require aid, we're pretty capable of gaining entry on our own"
Gathroc gets a sense that the small and weak outsider is speaking the truth as it both understands and has been instructed. The cacodaemon replies "Those are the terms laid down, it is upon you to accept or reject them. My master is not here to bargain, and despite your... abilities... you would likely find hardship gaining entry unassisted."
"Yes or no... the choice is yours..."
Sense motive
Daemon gets the additional feeling that the cacodaemon holds absolutely no fear of you or what you might attempt upon it. Daemon also knows with certainty that the puppet is speaking the exact words and intent of it's master.
"You do not fear us, yet you are in our trap and at our mercy. Why is this."
The cacodaemon smiles and states "The trap was known before I came, and I see none before me capable of mercy. There is no fear, as there is no need for it."
"And yet, your master asks for our mercy by turning our ire on to another?"
"My master asks not for mercy, merely a re-direction of your attention. Unless you plan to invade Abaddon itself I do not think you can harm him currently... merely force greater discretion upon him. By aiding you he removes that need."
::I say we give it a shot. Sometimes, you need to take chances to gain ground. If it's a trap, we can nix it and get back here.::
::I say we give it a shot. Sometimes, you need to take chances to gain ground. If it's a trap, we can nix it and get back here.::
"I'm game. "
I have no objection.
"If you are accepting of terms, then I would need you to dispel the wards placed o'er my form."
Vesta waves a hand and disturbs the circle with a stray piece of straw that was formerly minding it's own business in the corner. She then stares down the demon and grins wickedly, daring it to give her a reason to destroy it.
Intimidate
The cacodaemon smiles and gives a floating bow before concentrating deeply a moment. Soon after a swirling purple-black vortex opens and an empty skiff materializes in the small room. The daemon floats onto it before turning to you and asking "Coming now, or shall I return for you later?"
"I suppose we shall accompany you now."
Vesta gets on the skiff.
As the party climbs aboard the skiff, the cacodaemon waits until you are all present before concentrating once more. A popping sound can be heard as the vortex engulfs you and you feel your essence separate... before flooding back together in a short moment. Your eyes now regards a bleak daemonic vista of cracked earth and sulferous vents. You are alone on the skiff with the cacodaemon, apart from the same horned skeletal figure from the battle in the Shadow Claw's ziggurat standing before you on the earth. The cacodaemon moves to within the creature's robes and vanishes from sight.
"Pleased that you accept. Thankful reason was seen. Business with skull unpleasant, but ended. Minimal losses seen. Anxious for return of book. Trade acceptable to you? Offer this I can." holding up a small black sack that clinks slightly for you to take and review.
Knowledge Planes
"Your book is of little concern to me, though of obvious value to you which makes me wary to return it so freely. What is it that you offer in trade exactally?"
"Take, look... you will see" holding the sack forward.
Look into and detect magic the contents of the sack. She closely examines each item for several moments. Handling them as needed.
Appraise
Spellcraft
More spellcrafts as needed
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Within the sack are a necklace of fireballs (Type VI), a vial of Flying Ointment, a potion of Draconic Reservoir and one of Greater Animal Aspect.
::Necklace of fireballs (Type VI), a vial of Flying Ointment, a potion of Draconic Reservoir and one of Greater Animal Aspect.: vesta telepathically reads off what she finds as she finds it.::Paltry baubles, but it's something I suppose. The necklace could be fun though. ::
"Why is this book so important? Could you not just replace it with another?"
"Book is mine, therefore important. Replacement possible, but unwanted. Prefer return of own book. Acceptance of offer?"
Sense Motive
Ignac gets a sense that there is no falsehood in what the daemon is saying. Daemon also senses that the creature is likely after the book for more sentimental reasons than anything else.