"As amusing as this all undoubtedly is, my questions regarding this new mysterious master of the mines have yet to be answered"
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The playful remark of the curious elf summons a memory to the young concubine's mind -- an occasion several months ago when his mistress Arsinoe Nicephorus proffered a brief demonstration of the beetle of Šaqhat, the mysterious vermin known colloquially as the 'gloweaters'.
Indeed, the captive defiler, one Isaakois of House Prokopios, had been unable to exercise any of his arcane talents in confronting the young villain's opponent in the arena beneath the House Nicephous compound. Though the course of the battle had been entirely predetermined, the young Isaakios being no match for the skilled gladiator Quirinus, golden-haired Arsinoe appeared to derive a positively sensual delight from the evil mage's dispatch. Her smile crooked in a slightly unsettling smile similar to that of this elf as she observed Quirinus' powerful muscles tense as they twisted the prone Isaakios' neck into a lethal angle.
Well, truth be told, we don't know much more than we've said. He hails from the City of Brass.
Well, truth be told, we don't know much more than we've said. He hails from the City of Brass.
The mysterious elf appears slightly shaken by this revelation. Her elegant lips and their cruel smile suddenly contort in an apparently unplanned for expression of discombobulation. In the space of an extended, torturous pause, the Dreadseer manages to return herself to a state of recollection,
"That is... extremely troubling. The City of Brass is a home of fire beings that sits at the juncture of the Elemental Strongholds of Earth, Air, and Fire, in the Plane of Molten Skies. This great city is home to the efreet and kaltori, powerful entities of fire. It is also said that the Elemental Holds are also rent by a massive void known as the Elemental Chaos, from which sinister creatures known as fiends arise -- these are held to be soulhunters, and that they have established a presence in the City of Brass. This may give a clue as to the identity of this mysterious creature. Tread very carefully in your dealings with that one."
Rokan is taken aback by these additional details, but more-so that the Dreadseer is visibly shaken by his seemingly simple statement of fact.
What do these soulhunters generally aim for? How worried should we be that one is present in the mines just as Kalid-Ma awakens? It seems a troubling circumstance...
"The fiends of the Elemental Chaos are said to hunt souls to corrupt, devour, and exchange in some sort of brutal infernal currency, in which the spirits of mortals are offered up as offerings to the great powers of the deepest reaches of the churning void."
"As to your other question, it is difficult to say if his arrival was concurrent with the awakening of the sorcerer-queen, but I think not. Your recounting of the devourer's petition suggests that the arrival of the serpent-spiders was, instead, the concurrent occasion. We in the Serpent Singer tribe have observed the opening of the gate, and this coincided with the new presence manifesting in the deeps of the mines -- apparently the serpent-spiders of which the devourers spoke. We have noted the influence of this 'Master of the Aerie' before the gate of the sorcerer-queen reopened, as it is made manifest in the draconic servants and abilities that have recently been adumbrated to those of the devourers."
Regardless, it seems that there are dangerous forces present in the mines. We thank you for this information and heed your warnings. And now this returns us to our need to identify the dray who might come into our midst under a guise.
The mysterious elf smiles as Rokan returns the conversation to their negotiations,
"Very well -- yours is the asking, and to me is the giving. What do you offer in exchange for this great knowledge?"
I can't remember seeing those serpent-spiders and i have troubles imagining them. Are they somehow a cross between serpent and spider or what does their name refer to? It somehow offends me, bein from the serpent-singer tribe, a weird feeling.
Amunet-Ra is surprised and concerned seeing the dreadseer shaken as well. She can't rememer seeing her like this before.
Dreadseer, if they pose such a great threat, should we abandon this camp? And perhaps see if we can avert the threat? I will volunteer!
"Indeed, the moniker does not immediately recollect a species of which I am aware. This is a matter which merits investigation, for the fate of our people may depend upon its resolution."
"It is true, daughter of the people, that we are designated the "singers of serpents," famed from ancient times for our cohabitation with the scaly ones, and demonstrations of our tamed sibilant companions in the ancient markers of Kalidnay."
The Dreadseer proceeds to speak again in the hand-language of the Serpent Singers, signing the complex idiom in a veritable flurry of sinuous motions whose rapidity is utterly at odds with her calm, unhurried voice and facial expression,
And though the ancient Elven Market of Kalidnay is long reclaimed by the ruins, including the Garden of Glass, yet our serpentine brothers and sisters continue to live and work amongst us. Several are concealed by powerful arcane means on the perimeter of this encampment, and will strike should these strangers prove hostile.
"Be that as it may, my request remains -- these new companions of yours seek an ancient art from our tribe, but we are not a people that offers a thing and asks nothing, and so a price must still be named and proffered before I will consider sharing this knowledge with any outsiders."
Hoping to move on from this interaction of which he knew little about, Jimbli simply asks... "Have anything in mind?"
"I know how this works.. we offer anything reasonable or just short of, she laughs it off or becomes offended. Or... not knowing the worth of what she is offering, we propose something far more than necessary and she says.. yeah.. that'll do."
Hoping to move on from this interaction of which he knew little about, Jimbli simply asks... "Have anything in mind?"
"I know how this works.. we offer anything reasonable or just short of, she laughs it off or becomes offended. Or... not knowing the worth of what she is offering, we propose something far more than necessary and she says.. yeah.. that'll do."
The black-shrouded elf curls her lips in wry amusement,
"If mine is the asking -- then ask I shall, though your hesitancy to name your own exchange may, as you may yet see, cost you dearly in life, mind, and limb alike."
"Beneath this ancient temple lies a series of catacombs, long undisturbed, where in ancient times, before the city of Kalidnay rose to greatness, a half forgotten tribe of kreen prepared themselves for the afterlife. The door is currently shut, and all we know of the complex derives from this ruin's inscriptions and archives."
"If you were to find a means to open the gate and explore the catacombs for me, returning anything of interest or value upon your successful egress, I would share my knowledge with you."
Her eyes then assume a predatory glare,
"But beware of any desire to cross me, for I am well able to ferret out any deception on your part, for is this not the knowledge you yourselves seek from our tribe. Go, then, and only return if you have something of interest."
Amunet-Ra begins to laugh...
Hahahahaha, i'll accompany them. Not only might this proof very amusing, but i'm keen to see this ancient complex myself. Often i recognized the door before, thinking we are not allowed to enter.
[i]Also i will see the skills of those in different situations and what they are made of. Information that will proof useful.[i]
Amunet-Ra begins to laugh...
Hahahahaha, i'll accompany them. Not only might this proof very amusing, but i'm keen to see this ancient complex myself. Often i recognized the door before, thinking we are not allowed to enter.** spoiler omitted **
Anubisemonekeh smirks,
"Indeed, we are directed by the wisdom of our elders and our ancient traditions not to enter where we are not able! But here, perhaps these worthy nomads will find success where heretofore we have discovered naught."
The Dreadseer continues to weave the symbols of the hand-language rapidly,
Yes, I wish you to monitor them closely, particularly to make sure they hide nothing from me, and please refrain from placing yourself unnecessarily in the path of harm -- that's the entire rationale for their presence. Indeed, the elders of our people have warned against trespassing the domain of these ancient kreen, for the legends suggest that a great curse may accrue to those who pierce the tomb's seal. So make sure you have no part in that matter, only follow along to ensure that the eyes and ears and hands of our people are upon them at all times. There are said to be several great wonders of the Green Age buried with the ancient kreen within their tomb, and this may then benefit us greatly...
”A very dangerous task, for a very poorly defined reward. Your knowledge has proven to be valuable thus far, but is it valuable enough for us to risk further loss of life and limb for? Between evil elementals that deal in souls to serpent spiders, so we have time and ability to go treasure hunting...tell me, what treasure do you expect from this tomb?”
The haughty elven mystic smirks again at Malkaer's remark,
"Brother runner, did I approach your camp, uninvited, and seek after an ancient and reserved knowledge of your people? Rest assured, if your restless spirit balks at the fulfillment of my terms, than I am most willing that you and your company should depart in peace, and seek the skill to unveil the dray from another quarter, for, having asked for a price and been offered none, I have stated my terms. They remain as they are, brother runner, and you and yours may either take them up, or cast them aside as you think best."
”Sister, you have a tongue of pure water. I merely balk at the unknown. To take uncertain danger to uncover uncertain treasure for an uncertain reward. Might I ask then, for something more concrete? Tell us exactly what you want us to bring to you from the crypt in return for the information. It will make an informed decision all the easier.”
”Sister, you have a tongue of pure water. I merely balk at the unknown. To take uncertain danger to uncover uncertain treasure for an uncertain reward. Might I ask then, for something more concrete? Tell us exactly what you want us to bring to you from the crypt in return for the information. It will make an informed decision all the easier.”
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+13
The Dreadseer Anubisemonekeh sniffs slightly, emitting a surprisingly powerful discharge from her nostrils that reminds one of the exhalations of a perturbed desert fox,
"It is said the ancient kreen, by means of some mysterious ritual, obtained a marvelous artifact that would greatly enhance the psionic powers of whoever should possess it, but that the self same weapon was beset by a great curse as well. The hieroglyphics only depict it as an unblinking eye, and I am unsure whether this is symbolic or literal. In any event, if and when you discover this treasure, you must assuredly return it to the Serpent Singers so that its curse may be studied and avoided."
Amunet-Ra looks to her saviors.
This seems like a fair deal to me. We're aware of your urgent business and the looming threat, but you need to somehow proof yourselves. See it as a test and challenge. Not only will you help the serpent-singers and gain more trust, you'll most likely also be able to show your skills, develop and hone your talents, perhaps even acquire more artifacts from older ages in the tomb, which could help you greatly. I will go with you and look after you this time. Unless you have a better deal to offer of course...?
Shrugging off the intimation that allowing the Dreadseer to choose their payment may have been a mistake... "As far as I am aware we don't collectively own anything to offer as a group. I, for one, am intrigued by these catacombs, and always up for a challenge. Any oppose? If not, shall we get started?"
Since the plan to re-enter the mines is being endorsed, Cae speaks up:
"One finds himself on the right track
If the way forward be the way back.
Signs say two may be found
In the dark, underground.
Three groups are joined,
For treasure purloined?"
Since the plan to re-enter the mines is being endorsed, Cae speaks up:
"One finds himself on the right track
If the way forward be the way back.
Signs say two may be found
In the dark, underground.
Three groups are joined,
For treasure purloined?"
"And what of the rest of your company, are they prepared to join you? If so, I may point the way to the unoppenable doorm and there you may begin.
Rokan is seemingly convinced by Amunet and Jimbli, at least temporarily.
It seems there will be no shortcuts in our mission, and I take this to be the revealing of what must be done. The chance to further hone the power bestowed upon us by Falcuun is also favorable.
Rokan is seemingly convinced by Amunet and Jimbli, at least temporarily.
It seems there will be no shortcuts in our mission, and I take this to be the revealing of what must be done. The chance to further hone the power bestowed upon us by Falcuun is also favorable.
"Very well, then if I must entertain no further objections to my proposed exchange, let me furnish you with your first challenge"
The curious elven seer quickly ushers the party down from the roof of the ancient temple, descending via the steps on the aft of the twin propylons. She directs their movements to a dune beside the ancient monument, where a set of massive stone doors, densely inscribed with hieroglyphics, confronts the assembled confederates of House Vordon, as well as their new companions rescued from the mines, and the curious rhyming stranger who has just appeared in their midst.
"You will first," the Dreadseer indicates, "be impelled to devise a means of passing through these portals."
She smirks
"May your knives ne'er chip nor shatter friends,"
Then she turns, her bilious ebony cape billowing majestically in the night wind, and returns to her people.
Do you know a way to get in? We can rest and get some sleep or food if you want. I'm curious what your solution will be.
Malkaer looked at the doors unhappily. He didn’t like doors, or walls. They trapped those within just as much as they kept others outside. ”Do we have any abilities that allow us to move the earth? The wardings must end somewhere. Why go through an obstacle when we can go around?”
Humming a jaunty tune, the peculiar stranger walks the length of the door, one hand waving over it without touching it.
He moves to a spot twelve feet in front of the door and plants his staff in the sand. His humming changes tone, becoming more serious. He reaches into the satchel at his side, Cae pulls out a critic lizard and places it on top of the staff. Stepping three feet away from the staff, Cae begins walking a circle around it. After three revolutions, he stops and pulls the staff out. Kneeling, he reaches into the hole and his humming ceases. A wave ripples through the sand, ending at the circle that he walked.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Humming a jaunty tune, the peculiar stranger walks the length of the door, one hand waving over it without touching it.
He moves to a spot twelve feet in front of the door and plants his staff in the sand. His humming changes tone, becoming more serious. He reaches into the satchel at his side, Cae pulls out a critic lizard and places it on top of the staff. Stepping three feet away from the staff, Cae begins walking a circle around it. After three revolutions, he stops and pulls the staff out. Kneeling, he reaches into the hole and his humming ceases. A wave ripples through the sand, ending at the circle that he walked.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
[dice=Per: Doors]1d20+13
[dice=Per: Doors]1d20+13
The highly ornamented door has two narrow slits engraved into its middle, and these present a pair of peculiar architectural punctuations in the otherwise unbroken surface of the portal. Their combined effect is perhaps comparable to the gaping nostrils of some unimaginably large skull. Furthermore, the decorations surrounding the two engimatic slits in the rock are positioned at the center of some of the door's decorations,
Cast Lay of the Land(2 miles): Any natural ways in, or anything else of significance?[/ooc]
The Serpent Singer temple is at the bottom of a sandy valley which lies at the base of the Mountain of Altars. This rocky precipice looms over 1,000 ft. above the valley, and occludes the dusty basin's contents from surrounding vistas. Though theoretically in the line of sight from the mountain which houses the diamond mines, the temple is hidden in the shadow of the Mountain of Altars.
Based on its position, the doorway would seem to open onto a complex that burrows deep within the Mountain of Altars.
It seems worth at least considering that the Mountain of Altars may contain other entrances or exits to the catacombs.
Given their short space of separation, it also seems possible that the catacombs beneath the Serpent Singer temple may somehow connect with the lower levels of the diamond mines.
Jimbli steers wide of the rhymer's ritual on his way to inspect the door himself. As he does.. "Anyone able to decipher these carvings?"
Amunet-Ra looks out for any clues, secret doors, levers or similar things herself, but then watches with growing dismay at what the rhyming stranger does. As the sand ripples, she takes several steps back...
What are you doing there?!? she exclaims.
Is that magic? You made the sand ripple in a circle! Explain yourself!
+2 vs traps
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Cae calmly replaces the sand in the hole. He stands and replaces the lizard in his satchel. He tamps the sand back into place with the butt of his staff. Then, he smooths over the circle he made in the sand. Finally, after all that, he responds to the elven woman.
"A simple ritual, done as a child
All is well, here in the wild.
For the Dream, I used a ring,
Listen, and heard the land sing.
If desired, we can find another route,
She says other entrances are about."
And Cae smiles at Amunet-Ra, clearly happy to have answered her so thoroughly, from his perspective.
[dice=Perception]1d20+13 +2 vs trapsAmunet-Ra looks out for any clues, secret doors, levers or similar things herself, but then watches with growing dismay at what the rhyming stranger does. As the sand ripples, she takes several steps back...
What are you doing there?!? she exclaims.
Is that magic? You made the sand ripple in a circle! Explain yourself![dice=Perception]1d20+13 +2 vs traps
The elf detects nothing awry in the door's construction.
Jimbli steers wide of the rhymer's ritual on his way to inspect the door himself. As he does.. "Anyone able to decipher these carvings?"
[dice=perception door]1d20+12
The halfling detects nothing awry in the door's construction.
Amunet-Ra looks at Cae with a blank face. Obviously things aren't as clear as he thought.
Who is she? I reckon this was not defiling magic and she is your ... patron?
Her eyes become small slits.
Even if so and you think your magic is safe ... this is very brave of you ... using magic amongst strangers in their land ... unanounced.
She plants her feet firmly on the ground spread shoulderwide and folds her arms beneath her back.
I'm listening to your suggestions regarding those other entrances and their whereabouts. It seems nobody else here is coming up with solutions.
”In the interest of fairness, I practice magic of a sorts. I...how to explain? I came across the remnants of a long lost battle, and was scrounging through the wreckage. I found a dying elemental. It is now part of me, and through it I can work some of its powers. It isn’t anything I have trained in, and I am not sure if magic is even the right word for it. But I can create lightning, heal the injured, and perform other...acts. When I do so I can feel the life of Athas around me. I don’t use it, per se. Rather I can feel it’s movement, if that makes sense. In defiled areas, it feels as if though there is a lack of...power? Vitality? It is hard to describe. But it feels numb. Sad, even.” He pulled out his sword. It was black, darker than any obsidian weapon could be. ”This is what I found. It is what the elemental became when we were bonded together. This sword is as much part of me as an arm or a leg. I say this now, before we open these doors and face the dangers within, so that there will be no misunderstandings between us.”
With a surprised expression Amunet-Ra looks at Malkaers blade first, then at him, trying to retain her composure.
While i've never seen a blade like this, i heard of elemental magic and saw it before. The druids and keepers use it. It seems to be safe. It is good you come forth with it though. You know the elven way...
As Malkaer speaks about the land, Cae nods along and gestures in a way that says, "Exactly right".
Rokan walks up to the stone doors and runs his fingers along several hieroglyphs, not sure whether his fingers or his mind might recognize something familiar among them...
Rokan walks up to the stone doors and runs his fingers along several hieroglyphs, not sure whether his fingers or his mind might recognize something familiar among them...
Attempting to check several pools of knowledge and expertise for hints in the hieroglyphs.
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Knowledge (psionics): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Knowledge (psionics): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
The ascetic detects a slight vibration as he runs his hand in a cursory manner over the stone surface of the highly-ornamented portal. This is no dormant obstacle, but rather an actively adversarial barrier against any potential intruders. Indeed, the immense blocks of stone channel an incredibly strong electrical current that veritably pulses within them. This sophisticated defense is doubtless a relic of a previous era, and is clearly intended to electrocute any who attempt to gain entrance forcibly through the gate. The pair of slits in the wall might provide some mechanism of allowable entrance... if only their operation were discernible...
Rokan walks up to the stone doors and runs his fingers along several hieroglyphs, not sure whether his fingers or his mind might recognize something familiar among them...
Attempting to check several pools of knowledge and expertise for hints in the hieroglyphs.
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Knowledge (psionics): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25Knowledge (psionics): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32** spoiler omitted **
Rokan begins to relay his findings aloud as he continues to inspect individual hieroglyphs.
These stone doors hold an immense well of electricity. This is some machinery from time long past. Surely it would kill any who try to pass it without first disabling the mechanism. I see a couple of points here that might be crucial to this, but I'm not sure. Can any of you identify the language here so that we might see what clues these hieroglyphs yield?
"Those are ancient Kalidnayan glyphs -- but the language they convey is not human. I assume it is some form of kreen, based on the images which decorate the baa-relief. I could explain the sounds, if another could interpret their meaning."
The strange elf glances expectantly at Pak'cha.
Let me have a look, although this is your test.
Amunet-Ra glances at the kreen Pak'cha as well shortly.
for ideas on that mentioned mechanism.
Let me have a look, although this is your test.
Amunet-Ra glances at the kreen Pak'cha as well shortly.
[dice=Linguistics]1d20+7
[dice=kn:engineering]1d20+11 for ideas on that mentioned mechanism.
Slavathras begins to slowly, carefully mouth the alien sounds of the ancient kreen inscription -- the version of the tongue is very odd, clearly an archaic variant. Its significance does not arise naturally or easily for Amunet.
The door's operations are remain unclear after Amunet's initial investigation.
Despite her efforts, Amunet-Ra can't hide a concentrated, confused and slightly irritated look on her face listening to Slavathras.
Despite her efforts, Amunet-Ra can't hide a concentrated, confused and slightly irritated look on her face listening to Slavathras.
** spoiler omitted **
With the additional time invested in the project, the text of the extremely archaic kreen inscription becomes intelligible:
"Here sleep the six fingers of the Red Lord. They who served faithfully until their final breath will rest until that they should be called for once again by the Lord of Change. The Master of the Blood Land will summon his heralds at the appointed hour, and none shall disturb their slumber, lest they be struck by the fire of the thunders. Blood belongs to him, and the changing of the blood and the flesh. Only by the hands of the clutch of the Blood Walker shall this way be opened."
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Kuro keeps his body nice and covered by his cloak and cowl, his attention taken by everyone's mad attempts to make sense of the doors riddles. He however shouldn't find amusemnt in this, he's just as currently stumped as his companions. Giving a side glance as he begins explaining his mysterious black blade, Kuro slowly drifts up to the door before placing his hand on its cool stone surface.
"Trace...on" he whispers, letting his Psionic energy flow through his spinal cord, through his brain, and into his eye's to try and see if there is any psionics at work with this door...from what the Elf lady explained, it seemed like a safe bet.
Cae stands to the side, softly humming as his new companions decipher the door.