Well no need to be rude. it says, offended. Please yourself then, go on your way.
He turns back to his zombies and begins tinkering around in the guts of one of them.
Some people....
Del shoots the pukwudgie a conspiratorial whisper as the group passes, "If, ah, the unthinkable should happen, I'll see what I can do." He nods gratefully for the bone razor then skips ahead to catch up with the group, offering more loudly, "Sorry for the interruption. And watch out for those giants. If any come by this way, give a holler!"
After the party leaves wonders out loud, "Do you really be thinkin' it's best ta leave that thing here? I mean at leas' he aint out side Artosa where he could cause real harm..."
Having had a bemused expression throughout the whole interchange, Sapphire responds to Lucrezzia
Thing is, he's been placed here by Baba Yaga, so as long as he doesn't attack us then it's poor form for us to eliminate someone ostensibly on our side...
She grins and points to Elleross
Besides, who'd polish Ellri's skull to a gleaming shine if we took him out!?
She winks at him exaggeratedly as she moves past to follow Corum.
Elleross pauses as he overhears Sapphire and Lucrezzia and turns toward them with a small smile on his old weary face.
i doubt my old bones are worth polishing, our distasteful new ally seems to prefer younger flesh. he says as he looks toward the young alchemist I would take it as a compliment Greyston, he obviously takes great pride in his craft and knows quality when he sees it
He smiles slightly just happy to be away from that creature. He shouldnt be a problem.. and if he is my bombs would make quick work of his undead." He lobs a bomb from hand to hand. "Necromancy while vile in what it creates has it's uses, I'd like to look at that dagger when we have some spare time."
Now we've a key we should see what's in the chest, then we can re-check the door we passed a while back, see if they key fits there?
The key you found fits easily into the lock and turns with a satisfying click.
Within are a few changes of clothes, mostly suited for an elderly woman, and a variety of other items,
350gp
60sp
Masterwork Chain Shirt
A potion of purify food/water
+1 shortbow
+1 scimitar
Del draws a particularly frumpy looking blouse from the chest and holds it up to Corum's chest. In a high, grating, and nasally voice, he fluffs and fusses melodramatically, "Oh, this one is just utterly delightful, Corum! Look at how it brings out those angry blood vessels in your eyes! It'll be all the rage in Oppara next Spring!" He then giggles and titters shallowly, before continuing in the same nasally tone, "All the rage? Get it! Oh I just slay me!"
Elleross rolls his eyes and sighs as the jovial bowman jokes around
very amusing Dell, almost as amusing as watching Corum strangle you with that hideous garment. Which by the look of him he is liable to do at any moment.
Pulling the weapons from the chest he offers them to the party
these are clearly magical should any of you have use for them. he says before turning to Sapphire
we could try the door again, we need to get into the mother and find Nostafa
Corum looks at Del with a flat stare. "I'll wear it, then you'll eat it."
He laughs long and hard at his joke.
Smacking Del on his back with the palm of one hand, Sapphire joins in with Corum
Cheer up Del, at least you picked orange, a colour with at least some flavour...
she grins and turns to Elleross
Of no use to me sadly, I'll put it in the bag for now and we can sort it out later
She stuffs the unwanted gear in to the party's enchanted burlap sack
Right then, onwards to that door.
Grayston half ignores the others as they look in the chest, his attention is focused on the dagger given to them by the pukwudgie and its properties of animation. "If we can finally get that door open it will be a massive step forward in the maze of a place." He agrees with the others as they head back to the door.
Glad for the levity, Lucrezzia watches the others jest. When Greyston presses, she agrees, "Aye, it'd be a better thing than just waitin' for it to open itself!"
The lock clicks, much to Greyston's satisfaction. He pushes it open.
Warm yellow light fills this huge and lavishly decorated bedroom from three golden chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. The walls are painted white and draped with plush velvet curtains. Finely woven rugs cover the floor, while the furniture is upholstered in fine brocade and chintz.
Silk sheets and a delicate lace canopy cover an overstuffed poster bed to the south.
A woman, with short, choppy blonde hair starts from the bed, obviously shocked to see you enter. In the blink of an eye she is up and two gleaming handaxes are in her grasp.
She is dressed in a very fine chain shirt beneath a flowing silk shirt.
Wh...who... are you?
"Del Drinnar, my beautiful and very well-armed friend. Hunter of giants and centaurs, daring explorer, teller of tales, and dashing rake, at your service." He smiles broadly and offers a low, theatrical bow. "These are my equally fine and heroic companions and, I must confess, you don't look like some trespassing centaur or giant in need of vanquishing."
As charming as you are Del, do please bear in mind the last lot of women who have lain their hands upon you, and what their touch wrought...
Sapphire glances up and down at the woman.
You're not by any chance a hag in disguise?
Grayston placing his lockpicks away walks into the lavish room only to jump back slightly at the beautiful and well armed woman. "We meant to disrespect." He holds up his hands. "My name is Grayston, we just wished to know what was behind that door." He nods behind him. "We mean you no harm." He then bows slightly.
Hag, what are you talking about? No of course not. Who are you and what are you doing here? the woman asks warily. I've seen enough tricks in this place. Why have you come to my prison?
"I know it must be alarming to have people suddenly tumble through your door, but I've already introduced myself and stated our cause: hunting giants and centaurs. They're running amok within Artrosa's halls and we're trying to find and stop them. Stumbling upon you, in this most lavish of prisons, was an accident. Though, I do hope it may prove itself to be a happy one before all our words run dry."
nicely done Greyston Elleross says as he watches the alchemist successfully unlock the door and as the others head through he follows behind watching warily as they step into this new unknown.
As they try and converse with this armed female he thinks it a good sign that she has not attacked them immediately.
please, there is no need for rash actions. we are not trying to trick you. We are also prisoners of Baba Yaga, at least after a fashion. We are bound by powerful magic to find her.
Her trail has led us here to Artrosa, where as my companion has stated we are attempting to rid this place of the giants and the centaurs who have invaded.
We are seeking Nostafa, we believe she can help us.
If you are a prisoner of Baba Yaga then you have my deepest sympathies, We have already met another prisoner of hers, a warrior bound to protect her dancing hut for eternity.
How have you ended up as a prisoner here? he asks hoping the truth will stave off any conflict.
Grayston steps beside Del. Looking over the room closer and the woman stood infront of them.
"As my friend said, we stumbled above you. We had no idea you were imprisoned here. Who imprisoned you? and why?"
Jadrenka. she says bitterly. I have learnt to beware her tricks. she focusses on Sapphire then. Is this another one, is that you Jadrenka. Come to me in some other comely guise to try to tempt me again?
I've told you! she screams at Sapphire. Nothing happened!
Upon seeing the armed woman leap from the bed Corum drops into a semi crouch with his own axe held ready before him. He growls deep in his through and waits for sign of aggression. When the woman shouts at Sapphire he says "I trust witches less than anyone. But we aren't here for you. Drop the axes lady."
Back off! she snarls. Unless you want to add a few scar to your collection. I'm done with your games Jadrenka, let me out of here. NOW!
Del, utterly ignoring Corum's threat and aggressive stance, instead quietly asks, "Comely?" with a rather wounded tone. He gestures to himself, plainly bewildered, until he realizes she had addressed Sapphire, at which point his faces screws up in momentary confusion. Glancing between the two, his eyes widen slightly with realization. "Oh." He then laughs lightly, shaking his head, and something in his demeanor and the tone of his laughter shifts, giving him both a friendly and calming air.
"Ah, you're mistaken, I'm afraid. Though your suspicions are fully warranted. We've crossed paths with Jadrenka a few times now, though all she's done is leave us with cryptic riddles and little help. Sapphire here isn't Jadrenka, nor is Lucrezzia behind her, but we've felt the sting of witchy disguises same as you. Though, given your reaction, I suspect you've born the brunt of such scornful wrath for a good while longer."
He pauses, looking at her with an easy smile and bright eyes, "Perhaps we can help each other? All of us seem to want out of this place, but we're stuck until we get to something or somewhere called the 'Eon Pit' and remove the trespassers who are tampering with it."
axe lady
Somewhat startled at being so directly confronted by the strange woman, Sapphire steps back a pace.
No offence meant, and I'm just who I say I am, if I was an illusion I'd have given myself less bags under my eyes from the scant rest we've had these last weeks.
She nods at Del
Del and Elleross have the right of it, we're working for Baba Yaga and in search of the Eon pit and associated trespassers...
The axes lower slightly.
You aren't her...? at once the half-elf's face shows both relief and disappointment, a strange combination.
My name is Marisolva. I loved her and we were happy until... I just want to get out of here now. she says. I don't know how long it's been but enough is enough. I'm sorry, I don't care about trespassers in the Eon Pit, I've never been in there, but I know where Nostafa is - more or less.
If you promise to help me get out of here I'll take you to her. But you should beware this place, there is magic here that can change you forever, whether you wish it or not.
Perplexed at whatever is going on with Marisolva, Sapphire simply nods
We've seen a number of things in here that are frightening to truly comprehend, we can but hope to do what we need to and be gone as quickly as possible.
She glances up at the woman
More or less? Can you tell us why you were locked in here? Forgive me but I'm a little wary of freeing a prisoner of Baba Yaga, bad things tend to happen to those who cross her...
Corum also lowers his axe and nods his head. "We have a deal. I am Corum."
"Of course we'll help you but please, as my friend asked please tell us more about yourself. It's nice to meet someone who's not out to kill you here to take your skull after your dead." He says looking from Sapphire to Marisolva.
Del shoots Greyston a wink and shrugs in feigned disagreement, hoping a display of camaraderie might help further set Marisolva at ease with the group. "Greyston, I mean, to the pukwudgie's credit, your occipital lobe is rather striking."
Whether the banter was intended to put her at ease or not, she does not appear to be.
She looks as though she is about to take a seat on the bed but then, at the last moment, thinks better of it and remains standing seemingly happy to have a safe distance between you for now.
She does however drop her handaxes back into the loops at her waist.
I's funny... it wasn't until I got lost in Artrosa that I found myself she says wistfully.
I was not born this way. she says. I was born a man. she adds matter-of-factly. Originally named Maroslan, I fell in love with Jadrenka during one of the warden's rare forays from Artrosa.
I began openly courting Jadrenka, but she didn't truly know anything of love. But I was persistent, and Jadrenka soon returned my affections, inviting me to stay with her. I agreed, and became one of Artrosa's residents.
Here in this bastion of womanhood and femininity, I discovered I
was more comfortable as a woman, and using the magic of Artrosa, I transformed into the fully female Marislova.
For years, we were happy, but unfortunately, we are not on the best of terms at present. The nymph Kyrisjana gave me a lock of her hair for inspiration and Jadrenka jealously assumed the worst. We had a terrible fight that ended with her locking me away here.
Her eyes fill with tears.
I still love her. But not at the expense of my freedom. Not I just want away.
"The nymph? Ah, yes, we've met her in our wanderings already. It, ah, didn't end amicably, I'm afraid." Del shakes his head, idly brushing his hand over his abdomen where Kyrisjana had sunk her claws. "I'm sorry your time with Jadrenka has soured and you've been locked in here, Marislova. Witches, we have found," memories of Nazhena's mistreatment of him and the icy cage Radosek had imprisoned him within flash through his mind and cause Del to shiver at this, "can be extremely petty and bitter." He pauses, then smiles forlornly, "If you wish to leave, the door behind us is open. Even if you keep the location of Nostafa to yourself, we won't stop you from leaving. I hope you'll point us in the right direction, but you're free to go, regardless." He steps aside, gesturing to the open door with both hands.
Grayston smiles back at Del remarks, and nods at his words to Marislova.
"It is a shame to find your true self and then be hurt by the person you loved... Jealousy turns the best of intentions sour." He steps next to Del places a hand on his shoulder. "As Del said, we aren't stopping you, you're free." He points to the door. "But if you would help us, we would be very appreciated."
I can lead you to her. Or at least where I knew her to be last. But if there's giants in the Pit I can't say what's between here and her now. Or even if she is still alive. Marislova says.
Lucrezzia absorbs all of Marislova's sad tale. With a bit a' twist, there! She nods in agreement with her compatriots, "Aye the door be open if ya choose ta go. But I'll remind ya tha' we would do well ta' have a guide in this place. We've been told there may be a place that be agin' any that cross it."
Its the door beyond we need, and thats still locked she says
Corum says "If we go together we fight together. We'll get you out of here, giants or no giants."
Elleross listens to the strange tale and cannot help but wonder if marisolva had always wanted to become a woman or had this place influenced her?
she said herself this place has magic that will change you whether you wish it to or not.
We had best be wary and done with this place quickly
well the door is our next onstacle to overcome. Greyston do you want to have a look at it ? Hopefully between us we can get it open
Nostafa is through there. Marisolva says, pointing north. Beyond that one is the Mother's Hand. It's where a lot of the denizens who are friendly toward eachother use as a common area. But I don't know how friendly they'd be toward you so I say it's best to avoid it.
But unfortunately when Jadrenka comes she always comes from that direction.[/b[ she points north again. [b]And she won't be pleased that I'm out. she adds glumly.
"So we head north? Let me take a look at this door, i'd to happy for your help Elleross." Grayston then moves next to the door taking out his kit and begins to work on it.
Sapphire turns to Marisolva with concern in her visage
Look, I'm a bit useless with the whole words thing, I tend to let my blade talk for me so I struggle in situations requiring a delicate touch
She sighs
...but if it's one big misunderstanding like you say, is there really no way to bridge that gap? Explain to Jadrenka in a way that will make her listen? If you apologise for accepting the lock of hair, you didn't know it was cause such trouble and it was an innocent mistake?
She gestures at the woman
I don;t know about your feelings now towards Jadrenka, having locked you away, but if there's anything left in there isn't it worth at least trying? Even if you don't want to be with her ever again, talking to her would give you both the chance for closure, it'll help you heal.
She meets Marisolva's gaze with nothing but concern and her best wishes.
Mayhap. Marislova agrees. But how long until some other slight catches her conscience and then I find myself prisoner again?
We may soon find out. she says ruefully.
Greyston works on the lock of the northern door and soon gets it open.
Beyond is a now-familiar corridor of worked stone. Following it for a few minutes, you enter a new chamber.
This chamber is formed from an impossibly huge natural chimney. A single staircase cut into the side of the chimney spirals upward along the walls, disappearing into the darkness overhead. A tremendous stone stage crafted from a single massive stalagmite whose top was sheared off stands in the center of the room's boulder-strewn floor. An elaborate, concentric pattern of runes is carved into the top of the stage.
A tall and handsome woman who is visibly pregnant and nearly naked, wearing only a cloak trimmed with raven feathers, stands in the middle of the platform.
A dozen small children race about the cavern, howling playfully. The woman laughs back, seemingly enthralled with their behavior.
Jadrenka.. the Mother. Marrislova says, swallowing hard.