"Conjuration makes sense for a gate key. Lothan unhand the gem so I can study its aura unimpeded by yours."
(caster level 1 -- that won't work)
CL 8
CL 10
Once Vendric lands and sees them examining the items he drinks a identify extract. He will then proceded to examine anything the other could figure out.
The gem is a key used to open the portal between the shadow plane and the material plane at will.
The other things are: cloak of resistance +2, headband of vast intelligence +2 with the knowledge (planes) skill, handy haversack, staff of dark flame with 9 charges, ring of protection +2, and bracers of armor +4.
"Yeah, downstairs. That's a good idea. Let's get back down there and find out what they might know, that way, I'm not at a complete loss as to what the heck is going on."
"A powerful arcanist and still a fool. Who knows what he sought amongst these shades." Iolar contemplates their fallen foe for a moment before continuing.
"Take the staff, Zoltan. You have earned it. Lothan, the headband would help you most, but Vendric will employ it to greater use. Perhaps the rings would suit you best."
You go back down stairs and find the others still greatly weakened.
Iolar stands and watches the others and the freed prisoners. As a bubble of the past, this place is interesting but the drow are dead, the elves rescued. That is enough for now.
Perhaps she will return to speak with Eloquan and explore the city, but the real world calls.
Eviana seems pleased at the mention of the wizard's defeat. Slowly and painfully, she tries to describe what she's learned of the drow's purpose here. "Did you not see the immense blot in the sky? It is one of the meteors of Earthfall, the one that hit Celwynvian millenia ago, and much like the one that hit Riddleport months ago. This whole realm is a creation by Nolveniss, one that recreates the last few days of Celwynvian before the Earthfall, so that the drow could study the cataclysm, so that they might learn to recreate such an event at their whim. The star that hit Riddleport was but a trial. The drow could not aim that one, but with enough time and study here, they hoped they could learn to do so. With the wizard defeated, though, that plan has been put to a halt."
"Take the staff, Zoltan. You have earned it. Lothan, the headband would help you most, but Vendric will employ it to greater use. Perhaps the rings would suit you best."
Looking to the elf confused, "Why would it help...," he starts but then pauses, narrowing his eyes at her. "Hardy har har, Bird-lady. Boy you are a funny one, aren't you? Just leave the jokes to me, m-kay?" Just as he's about to turn to leave to go back downstairs, he stops and looks back at her with a wry grin. "Good one though, I'll give you that. I didn't know you had it in you. We may make you personable yet," he says with a wink.
Eviana seems pleased at the mention of the wizard's defeat. Slowly and painfully, she tries to describe what she's learned of the drow's purpose here. "Did you not see the immense blot in the sky? It is one of the meteors of Earthfall, the one that hit Celwynvian millenia ago, and much like the one that hit Riddleport months ago. This whole realm is a creation by Nolveniss, one that recreates the last few days of Celwynvian before the Earthfall, so that the drow could study the cataclysm, so that they might learn to recreate such an event at their whim. The star that hit Riddleport was but a trial. The drow could not aim that one, but with enough time and study here, they hoped they could learn to do so. With the wizard defeated, though, that plan has been put to a halt."
Taken aback by the news, "Oh! Well that's good. I'm glad we were able to bring a halt to the end of the freaking world!" he says mockingly, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Because, you know, I wouldn't have anywhere to live IF IT WAS GONE!" Shaking his head at the unbelief of it all, he takes a look around at the others, a slight grin forming. "You mean to tell me this... 'Odd squad' of folks just stopped the end of the world? HA! That's greatness! Boy if that drow we just took out has a higher up, that dude is gonna be pissed. Especially if he learns of who took him out! HA! I'd love to be a fly on the wall when that news hits!" Laughing at it all, Lothan eventually calms and drags a hand through his hair and crosses his arms. "We win, people. We win. No need to thank me, just throw coins. Just throw coins." He winks.
Lothan looks to Zoltan incredulously. "Are you sure? You sure it wasn't something to the effect of: His mistress is a cow... um, that fall... impeded?" Realizing it's probably a bit of a stretch the ranger remains hopeful Zoltan simply misunderstood.
"Take the staff, Zoltan. You have earned it. Lothan, the headband would help you most, but Vendric will employ it to greater use. Perhaps the rings would suit you best."Looking to the elf confused, "Why would it help...," he starts but then pauses, narrowing his eyes at her. "Hardy har har, Bird-lady. Boy you are a funny one, aren't you? Just leave the jokes to me, m-kay?" Just as he's about to turn to leave to go back downstairs, he stops and looks back at her with a wry grin. "Good one though, I'll give you that. I didn't know you had it in you. We may make you personable yet," he says with a wink.
Iolar stares impassively at the ranger for a long heartbeat. It is only after her eyes swing away that the corners of her lips twitch upward slightly.
***
"It doesn't feel like a victory. Nolveniss said his mistress now had all she needed. That can only mean they've figured how to aim the meteors..."
Iolar's head swivels to the scarred half-elf. "I was so intent on the hunt, I did not listen to him." Her head tilts to the left. " Wel -- well done, Lothan. Sharp of ear and quick of comprehension. "
Vendric will pass on the headband as his is more powerful but he does have interest in the ring.
"Zoltan is right. They may have indeed gotten the knowledge they came for. We should hurry back as soon as we can. We need to warn the others though we may not wont to go as we are now." Vendric motions to the two heavily wounded elves. "We don't know what may lurk when we get back. I do recall that woman that let us pass before. She may not be so kind in our next meeting and should we fight I'm afraid I will be of little use without some time to replenish my supply of catalysts and extracts."
You escape from this realm and arrive back at in the room with the elf gate and the stagnant pool. There are no monsters or drow to greet you here and you're able to make back to the elven camp with Shalelu and Kaerishiel.
After describing your ventures in the shadow realms with Eviana and her commanders, she thanks you and rewards you with your choice of items. She also invites you to join the elves in celebration that evening.
Without Nolveniss and the shadow key, the remaining drow in Celwynvian are cut off from their refuge in the shadow realm. Discord in the ranks results, causing them to scatter into the surrounding woodlands and mountains, where the Shin'Rakorath hunt them down.
A large banquet is held in your honor. At the end of which, she again invites you to her tent to discuss something important. She informs you that the elf gate still functions, and with the shadow key, the elves are able to activate it. They are working to purify the gate of its drow corruption, but in the meantime, the gate offers them a chance to infiltrate the drow capital of Zirnakaynin. Eviana speaks of a plan to disguise a small group of spies to learn from among the drow, and hesitantly asks if you know of anyone willing to take on such a mission.