Ri'Kli'Klek stays to the back, well aware of how outclassed he is by these strangers.
"I am still unsure of your abilities. I can do little to aid here. Other ways are likely as dangerous, each in their own way."
Still cloaked in shadows, Hamza asks "Should we cut them down, or would that be a bad idea? Do they have any weaknesses we can exploit?"
As Hamza says this, a strong telepathic voice rings in the heads of the entire company,
"Hmmm! Maybe we should cut you down intruders!"
Ri'Kli'Klek stays to the back, well aware of how outclassed he is by these strangers.
"I am still unsure of your abilities. I can do little to aid here. Other ways are likely as dangerous, each in their own way."
"Undeniably the words of a courageous warrior. I can only image the deeds you accomplished in ancient days."
Amunet-Ra ignores Hamza for the moment, signaling him to be silent with a flick of her wrist.
There is no need for violence, we just want a save passage. This would include safety from any of your spores or similar talents you might possess. You see, we are neither food nor slaves, nor seeding places for your offspring. We didn't know you exist down here.
In return we could tell you about the way to plenty of others who might have all the qualities you might be looking for...and generaly exchange some knowledge.
The Companions of the Broken Tablet enter the next chamber by means of a moss-covered stone ramp that gradually descends about 30 foot spans over a length of roughly 60. This entrance tunnel gradually narrows like a funnel, concluding in an open circlet of stone about 30 paces in height and breadth, whereas the entrance had embraced approximately double those dimensions.
The tunnel leads out onto a rocky protrusion that drops off sharply to the left, and is pierced in its center by a shallow 5 pace depression that is about equally wide and some 30 foot spans in length.
To the left, this precipice falls off 5 to 30 paces to a much lower cavern floor.
To the right, there is a more gradual progression of relatively gentle 5 span tiers of stone that can be easily traversed on foot.
There appear to be approximately six tiers of stone, beginning with the center of the large cavern. The entrance tunnel is level with the highest of these tiers.
The chamber is approximately 120 foot spans in breadth and 60 in length. Its ceiling looms some 30-40 paces overhead.
The center of the chamber is dominated by a deep ravine about 15 paces in breadth and 30 in length, and of considerable depth.
Surrounding this ravine is a large collection of about 30 mushrooms which are of approximately the same size as an adult human male.
Much of the floor of the chamber is covered with some kind of moss or fungus.
Three walls of the cavern, those other than that through which the entrance breaks, appear to be largely insubstantial, as if made of shadow or mist.
To the right, there is another circular exit of about thirty paces which forms of noticeable gash in the amorphous walls of the cavern.
Amunet-Ra ignores Hamza for the moment, signaling him to be silent with a flick of her wrist.
There is no need for violence, we just want a save passage. This would include safety from any of your spores or similar talents you might possess. You see, we are neither food nor slaves, nor seeding places for your offspring. We didn't know you exist down here.
In return we could tell you about the way to plenty of others who might have all the qualities you might be looking for...and generaly exchange some knowledge.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 28
There is no need for violence, we just want a save passage.
"No need maybe, but perhaps a desire, on the part of one of us or another."
You see, we are neither food nor slaves, nor seeding places for your offspring.
"We shall see."
We didn't know you exist down here.
"And now you are the wiser, are you not?"
In return we could tell you about the way to plenty of others who might have all the qualities you might be looking for...and generaly exchange some knowledge.
"Finally, you have said something of interest to me."
Jimbli waits a moment for any who need a lift up to the ledge before entering the next cavern. He exudes a slight hint of tar for a brief moment as his coloration changes to match the surroundings. He steps in - five feet above the ground - and searches the near side of it for traps or hidden threats.
[dice=perception search for traps]1d20+22
[dice=stealth]1d20+37
The undulating darkness at the top right hand corner of the cave conceals another circular exit, about 30 paces in diameter, beyond which a broad series of steps seem to lead downwards.
In front of this exit is a concealed entrance to a large crevasse, which appears to be about 40 paces in depth, and 30 in width and breadth, though it is in the shape of bulb or tear drop which narrows to only five paces at its summit.
The ceiling above the chasm about which the mushrooms are gathered contains a rooftop chamber of similar dimensions.
The small crevasse around which the party is gathered opens into a larger, squarish chamber of approximately 25 paces in width, breadth, and height.
Amunet-Ra smiles as she thankfully receives the blessing from Cae.
Is that an outlook on your abilities? Certainly you can do something more there?After hearing out Slavathras, she shakes her head.
Of course you have been there before. Perhaps, following our oath, you should let us participate in more of your secrets? And next rest i expect a rhyming contest between you and Cae, since you both are bards and entertainers of some sorts. Also some music would be good, so i can dance. Ehawee could join me in dancing.She watches her various companions apply very different and esoteric means to overcome the height distance, some raising her eyebrows.
Now i have some questions about the abilities of some of you. I know we have some disciples of the way among us, but some other arts here seem shady at least, dangerously close ot magic. I didn't know Thri-Kreen can have wings though.Leaping into the air from where she stands without any effort, she jumps an seemingly impossible distance up against the wall and higher from there untill she reaches the ledge.
For myself i can say, i'm one of the fastest runners under the sky, so fast i can run through the air and so light, i can even stand on a hair.
Her vigilant gaze takes in the surroundings.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 36
The undulating darkness at the top right hand corner of the cave conceals another circular exit, about 30 paces in diameter, beyond which a broad series of steps seem to lead downwards.
In front of this exit is a concealed entrance to a large crevasse, which appears to be about 40 paces in depth, and 30 in width and breadth, though it is in the shape of bulb or tear drop which narrows to only five paces at its summit.
The ceiling above the chasm about which the mushrooms are gathered contains a rooftop chamber of similar dimensions.
The small crevasse around which the party is gathered opens into a larger, squarish chamber of approximately 25 paces in width, breadth, and height.
"Any route is better than just staying here. Up it is." Hamza steps through the shadows, and reappears up in the cavern.
He disappeares into the shadows once again, and looks around.
The undulating darkness at the top right hand corner of the cave conceals another circular exit, about 30 paces in diameter, beyond which a broad series of steps seem to lead downwards.
In front of this exit is a concealed entrance to a large crevasse, which appears to be about 40 paces in depth, and 30 in width and breadth, though it is in the shape of bulb or tear drop which narrows to only five paces at its summit.
The ceiling above the chasm about which the mushrooms are gathered contains a rooftop chamber of similar dimensions.
The small crevasse around which the party is gathered opens into a larger, squarish chamber of approximately 25 paces in width, breadth, and height.
Well the desire on our part is only a self-defense reflex. There is no need to worry about that.
There is nothing to see about wether we are your slaves, food or offspring carriers. We simply are not. You need to accept that. Else you would run the risk of having terribly tainted offspring, poisoning yourselves with an infectious disease or even worse things i don't want to speak about.
Amunet-Ra clears her throat, looking around to her companions and into the empty spaces she assumes where Slavathras and Hamza are.
Then she adresses the mushroom people again.
We are indeed a little bit wiser, now that we know you exist and live down here. Have you come here only recently or has your tribe been here for a long time already? Do you want to tell us something about your peoples history?
Hearing the warning, Cae says a quiet prayer to the moon goddess, letting her power wash over him and seep out into the chamber.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ri'Kli'Klek waits in wary stillness for the creatures' response.
[dice=Perception]1d20+12
Ri'Kli'Klek waits in wary stillness for the creatures' response.
Though it is difficult to place, the tone and cadence of the ominous telepathic communication sent by the myceloid sounds strangely... familiar?
Puzzled, Ri'Kli'Klek tries to place why a voice here would possibly sound familiar to him. Without any real leads, however, he decides to voice his confusion.
"Thy voice is known to me, though this should not be possible," he states. "What is thy name?"
As Amunet and Ri'Kli'Klek negotiate with the mushrooms, Rokan stays silent and focuses his mind to survey the surface emotions and intentions of the speaking mushroom. He particularly pays attention to any responses it gives to them.
Tyren, not terribly certain these beings are capable of not simply double-crossing them once they've obtained the location of more food, maintains a readied state.
Well the desire on our part is only a self-defense reflex. There is no need to worry about that.
There is nothing to see about wether we are your slaves, food or offspring carriers. We simply are not. You need to accept that. Else you would run the risk of having terribly tainted offspring, poisoning yourselves with an infectious disease or even worse things i don't want to speak about.Amunet-Ra clears her throat, looking around to her companions and into the empty spaces she assumes where Slavathras and Hamza are.
Then she adresses the mushroom people again.We are indeed a little bit wiser, now that we know you exist and live down here. Have you come here only recently or has your tribe been here for a long time already? Do you want to tell us something about your peoples history?
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 28
Retry? You cannot use Diplomacy to influence a given creature’s attitude more than once in a 24 hour period. If a request is refused, the result does not change with additional checks, although other requests might be made.
As Amunet and Ri'Kli'Klek negotiate with the mushrooms, Rokan stays silent and focuses his mind to survey the surface emotions and intentions of the speaking mushroom. He particularly pays attention to any responses it gives to them.
[dice=Sense Motive, empathy]1d20+13+2
** spoiler omitted **
Rokan senses a voracious hunger and unquenchable desire to grow emanating from the mobile fungi. He also detects that one of their minds is unlike the others in some mysterious fashion... and is potentially hiding more complicated motives.
Puzzled, Ri'Kli'Klek tries to place why a voice here would possibly sound familiar to him. Without any real leads, however, he decides to voice his confusion.
"Thy voice is known to me, though this should not be possible," he states. "What is thy name?"
The voice chuckles in an unsettling, gravely tone,
"I am Shraagroom the Inimical, Blightwarden of the Purple Pox, deputy of Zuggtmoy, the Princess of Elemental Evil of Fungi, and who might you be?"
"Ri'Kli'Klek," the kreen answers simply.
"Ri'Kli'Klek," the kreen answers simply.
"Hm... you speak strangely, kreen. How came one of the tohr-kreen to this corner of Athas, for I can only assume by your mien and manner that you hail from the far off Crimson Savannah."
Amunet-Ra ignores Hamza for the moment, signaling him to be silent with a flick of her wrist.
There is no need for violence, we just want a save passage. This would include safety from any of your spores or similar talents you might possess. You see, we are neither food nor slaves, nor seeding places for your offspring. We didn't know you exist down here.
In return we could tell you about the way to plenty of others who might have all the qualities you might be looking for...and generaly exchange some knowledge.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 28
"As luck would have it, elven maiden, I do indeed have such a task for you, if you wish to ensure your company's freedom from the fungal infection known as the Kiss of Zuggtmoy by the faithful, and the purple pox by the majority of the Tablelanders."
"There is a dreadful earth drake who lives in the great chamber below our current habitation. Its name is Thunderclap, and it drove us from our original dwelling place. I would see the beast incapacitated so that it might repay our hardships by rendering its body a habitation for our spores."
"What think you? Would you prefer to struggle with me and mine?"
Tyren frowned. Earth drake...Well, the quickest answer to this question is...Which one of these is a more faithful temple defender? Well, regardless, Tyren was beginning to be of the opinion that Amunet-Ra might be able to get more out of this discussion with the help of a little song.
So Tyren began playing the Lute and singing. The song being played was an ancient epic hailing from Tyr, a piece dedicated to the founding of his own organization. He felt the rhyming components would be familiar to Cae, and the history of the piece--Something that Amunet-Ra would appreciate--Was most saturated within the use of the Lyre.
On top of that, I'm Inspiring Competence on both Cae and Amunet-Ra. Tyren figured if anyone was going to step in with something to say, it'd be our Rhymer, since that's how it's worked out so far. +8 to persuasion, boiz!
Rokan finally speaks up.
It is clear that you have a driving hunger, and we also wish that you would not sate it with our bodies. Further, an incapacitated drake sounds beneficial to all present. However, I must ask, whatever you could do to us if we would not agree to align goals, could you not do that to the drake? Is it not affected by your purple pox?
Rokan will continue to focus on the one that is different with his psionic empathy, watching its intentions closely. He also scans it for psionic activity.
Tyren frowned. Earth drake...Well, the quickest answer to this question is...Which one of these is a more faithful temple defender? Well, regardless, Tyren was beginning to be of the opinion that Amunet-Ra might be able to get more out of this discussion with the help of a little song.
So Tyren began playing the Lute and singing. The song being played was an ancient epic hailing from Tyr, a piece dedicated to the founding of his own organization. He felt the rhyming components would be familiar to Cae, and the history of the piece--Something that Amunet-Ra would appreciate--Was most saturated within the use of the Lyre.
On top of that, I'm Inspiring Competence on both Cae and Amunet-Ra. Tyren figured if anyone was going to step in with something to say, it'd be our Rhymer, since that's how it's worked out so far. +8 to persuasion, boiz!
[Dice=Nonlethal damage from Words of Creation x2]6d6-5
A drake is a draconic creature from an elemental or quasi-elemental plane. Most drakes are flightless, and while they are sentient, drakes are not much smarter than other animals. Drakes can live for very long periods of time; they approach maturity at about 20 years of age and can live anywhere from 1,000 – 1,500 years.
Drakes are gargantuan, reptilian beasts that trace their heritage back to the elemental planes. Now dwelling on Athas, they have come to view their adoptive home as their personal hunting grounds. Cunning and ferocious and sporting powerful psionic abilities, the drakes are considered by many on Athas to be second only to the Dragon in power. The first drakes were not natives of Athas and used tremendous psionic powers to travel from their home elemental planes to Athas, where they found a world much to their liking. Many generations of drakes have been born on Athas since that time.
Striking at their foes with claws, a savage bite and a sweeping tail attack, drakes share many combat techniques with draconic creatures of other worlds. Drakes are large enough to swallow some opponents whole and will use this attack option in preference to all others if the target is of a suitable size. All drakes enhance their physical prowess with psionic powers, and those of the four classic elements (air, earth, fire and water) are also capable of launching elemental attacks against their targets.
Despite their power, drakes are nevertheless accorded an almost legendary status by most Athasians. Few people believe they really exist. Even fewer have ever seen one, and very few of those have lived to tell about the experience. This is not least because drakes prey largely on humans and humanoids (although they will eat inix and mekillots when available and erdlu if necessary). Drakes prefer the taste of carnivore flesh over any other type of meat.
Other elementals look down on drakes as deserters or creatures who abandoned the pure elements for this lesser plane and encounters between drakes and other elemental beings are always tense, often unpleasant, and sometimes violent. It is almost unheard of for drakes to return to their native planes and most, in fact, have never been there, being the descendants of drakes who immigrated to the prime material plane centuries ago. Only the oldest of Athas' drakes still recall the days when they forsook the elements for the world of the dark sun.
A drake's hide can fetch an enormous price on the trading market but can also result in a death penalty as the hides, teeth, claws, and blood are of such value thatsome sorcerer-kings forbid their sale. They have instructed their templars to confiscate any such items that appear in the market in the name of their sorcerer-king. Elves, of course, defy these edicts at every turn, and make a fair profit selling drake materials while just one step ahead of their templar pursuers.
Drake hide makes outstanding armor, the teeth and claws make excellent weapons and the blood of the beast is also valuable as it is used in certain alchemical solutions. Beyond these truly useful items, folklore holds that just about any portion of a drake's carcass holds a great deal of magical luck, a belief that is often relied upon by disreputable elven hawkers who push a variety of lucky tokens, allegedly fashioned from drake parts.
Drakes mate when the urge strikes them and swiftly separate after pairing. No more than two eggs are laid, hatching after six months, and the resulting drakelings are almost always hungry and need constant care. Young drakes grow from two to twenty feet in the first year, then five feet each year thereafter until they reach full size for their species.
Drakes are mysterious creatures. Few people believe they really exist. Even fewer have ever seen one, and very few of those have lived to tell about the experience. Hunting drakes is a challenge for the foolhardy or suicidal in Athasian society. However, on rare occasions drakes do succumb to old age or illness and pass on. No one knows how long a drake lives, and few of them have ever been killed.
A drake’s habitat is dictated by his home elemental plane. Earth drakes, for instance, can find a home virtually anywhere on Athas, but prefer rocky areas and mountains to the open sands. Air drakes, as well, know few limitations, and can ride the winds from the Ringing Mountains to the Sea of Silt and beyond ~ their lairs are usually high in the mountains. Fire drakes can live in the arid sands, but are always on the lookout for volcanoes or hot springs — they’ll even set a forest on fire to bask in the comfort of the flames for a time. Water drakes are the most limited on Athas, preferring ponds and other bodies of water to make their homes.
The drake’s actual lair is never actually an open space — there are few open spaces back on their home planes. Drakes are more comfortable when surrounded, literally, with their home element. An earth drake, for instance, does not live in a vast cavern, as one might think, but instead in a very cramped, tight space in which he barely fits — and he’s right at home. Consequently, drake lairs are more difficult to penetrate than the lairs of other large creatures.
Several of those who have seen drakes have mistaken them for the dragon itself. Rumors about multiple dragons are rampant through Athas — that there may be several true dragons — but these are usually dismissed. Several so-called additional dragon sightings have been discovered to be drake sightings instead.
Other natives of the drake’s elemental plane tend to look down on them as deserters or creatures who abandoned the pure elements for this lesser plane. Encounters between drakes and other elemental beings are always tense, often unpleasant, and sometimes violent. Drakes never return to their native planes. Most, in fact, have never been there, being the descendants of drakes who immigrated to the prime material plane centuries ago. Elementals and drakes from the same plane almost always come to blows when they meet on the prime material plane. Oddly, contact between elemental beings from different planes is perfectly normal with none of the aforementioned animosity.
At their highest levels, psionicists can become powerful beast masters, and among their favorite psionic beasts are drakes. Details on this relationship are presented in the Dragon Kings hardbound.
An earth drake is native to the Elemental plane of Earth. Earth drakes seem to be made completely of stone and earth, with occasional bits of gemstones and ore. They are masters of controlling earth and can cause catastrophic tremors.
Earth drakes are the largest, most physically powerful of the drakes. Their massive bodies and extremely rough hide often made them look like large outcroppings of rock. Earth drakes love a good fight. They will often dig in along major trade routes in the hope that they will find someone that can challenge them.
Earth drakes prefer rocky areas and mountains to the open sands. When selecting a lair, an earth drake will usually choose a cavern or cave that is almost too small for the creature. It then spends its time closed in on all sides by rock and earth, something that the creature finds very much to its liking. Whether they dig into the bedrock beneath the sands of the Athasian desert or into a hillside, earth drakes always cover the front of their habitat with loose dirt, creating a collapsible front entrance which the earth drake uses to defend its lair. Earth drakes especially dislike any type of permanent buildings and think nothing of traveling many miles in order to destroy man-made settlements.
Covered with thousands of small, spiny scales, an earth drake has massive limbs designed for digging through solid stone. It has a short tail, which forces it to walk with a swaggering gait, and a wedge-shaped head. Scales protect the drake's ears and a double eyelid prevents the creature from being blinded when burrowing.
The earth drake appears quieter than other types of drakes. They have a large variety of hobbies and are always aware of what is going on around them. They are extremely good leaders and will not have any trouble getting people on their side when they come up with a new idea.
They are very smart in financial situations and will be able to gather considerable wealth. They are very good organizers although they can sometimes be a bit fussy. They will always have a large circle of friends.
The earth drake is a proud and lively person with a never ending supply of self confidence. They are highly intellectual and are always very quick to take advantage of any chance. They are determined and strong-minded to do well in anything they attempt, which usually comes naturally to them. They are somewhat of a perfectionist and will always try to maintain high standards that they set for themselves.
Earth drakes tend to take things very personal. The earth drake will be extremely quick to criticize anybody that tries to make a fool out of them. They can sometimes be seen as blunt and straight to the point and are certainly not diplomatic or sensitive. They can be quite gullible and will often believe what people tell them. The dearth drake does not take insult lightly, if they feel they have been insulted or hurt then it will take a long time for them to learn to trust you again as they do not forget things easily.
The drake is usually extremely outgoing and is great at attracting publicity and attention. Earth drakes enjoy being the center of attention and will cope well with problems should they be faced with them. The earth drake can be portrayed as a bit of a showman that rarely lacks an audience.
Their views are very highly valued as they will usually have something interesting to say. They are very energetic and are often prepared to work long and unsociable hours in order to achieve what they desire. They can sometimes be quite impulsive and do not always consider the consequences that may follow. They have a tendency to live for the moment which again can have consequences that they do not think of. They hate to be kept waiting and become very impatient over the smallest of delays. The earth drake holds much faith in their abilities, this can sometimes make them a bit over confident which can sometimes lead them to make bad judgements, this can be a big problem at times but the earth drake has the ability to bounce back and pick up the pieces again.
During the Golden Age when drakes ruled over Athas and mankind was just beginning to come into existence, earth drakes were revered as one of the most powerful of the drake families, rivaling even the fire drakes in might. However, as time went by, the drake civilization started to collapse when the birth rates fell, and drakes also began to degenerate into madness, turning into feral beasts.
This prompted the true drake ruler Śāriputra to propose that the drake tribes should accept their fate and let humanity rule the continent, with the true drake elders suggesting to survive by shedding their drake forms in the form of drake stones to take on human forms, which would help them survive.
This enraged many members of the earth drake tribe, who saw humans as parasitical insects who were their inferiors in all aspects, and thus refused to take on human forms out of sheer pride. This would ultimately lead to their downfall, as they continued to degenerate, until most of them had become nothing but mindless beasts that began to attack humans.
One earth drake, Mahāmaudgalyāyana, who was the prince of the earth drake royal family, chose to take on a human form, being the sole earth drake to avoid degeneration.
This led to the true drakes intervening in an attempt to defend humanity, bringing about a great war between the drake tribes. It was during this war that one of the earth drakes that had not yet succumbed to the degeneration, Kṣemā, had met an ambitious earth cleric that hailed from Yaramuke named Dayang Itan, who wished to acquire the great power of drakes. Seeing that the war would end with the earth drakes' defeat, Kṣemā formed a plan to continue terrorizing humanity while not succumbing to the eventual degeneration. Forming a blood pact with the earth cleric, Kṣemā secretly ended up possessing the human and entered the new continent, where he would form a malevolent empire that would terrorize the continent for centuries.
Eventually, after nearly all true drakes were killed, they won the war at the cost of their virtual extinction and Śāriputra had all the feral earth drakes sealed away under the Drakes's Table, and to ensure that the earth drakes were never roused from their slumber so they wouldn't ever again terrorize the humans, forged the Binding Shield from one of her fangs. She also charged Mahāmaudgalyāyana to safeguard the seal.
Several centuries after sealing the earth drakes, a thief called Tam Som stole and broke up the Binding Shield in the unguarded Fane of Ratnasari, weakening the seal on the earth drakes.
Rokan finally speaks up.
It is clear that you have a driving hunger, and we also wish that you would not sate it with our bodies. Further, an incapacitated drake sounds beneficial to all present. However, I must ask, whatever you could do to us if we would not agree to align goals, could you not do that to the drake? Is it not affected by your purple pox?
Rokan will continue to focus on the one that is different with his psionic empathy, watching its intentions closely. He also scans it for psionic activity.
[dice=Sense motive, empathy]1d20+13+2
The myceloid that has just identified itself as "Shraagroom the Inimical, Blightwarden of the Purple Pox, and Deputy of Zuggtmoy, the Princess of Elemental Evil of Fungi" is both older and wiser than the other mushroom men. It somehow has a different mind or personality, a distinction which has lead to its preeminent position among the myceloids. In addition to its myceloid body, its spirit or essence is also somehow... different, as if its physical form were inhabited by a possessing spirit or other parasitical force.
After resting, Cae will approach each member, offering a small blessing for the day.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The strange elf sniffs derisively,
"Bah! Sleeping Eilithea and shattered Morindalien -- neither of the Lunar Twins can hear your prayers or petitions! How little you know of such things! How empty your words!"
Rokan finally speaks up.
It is clear that you have a driving hunger, and we also wish that you would not sate it with our bodies. Further, an incapacitated drake sounds beneficial to all present. However, I must ask, whatever you could do to us if we would not agree to align goals, could you not do that to the drake? Is it not affected by your purple pox?
Rokan will continue to focus on the one that is different with his psionic empathy, watching its intentions closely. He also scans it for psionic activity.
[dice=Sense motive, empathy]1d20+13+2
Shraagroom positively emanates powerful psionic abilities.
Tyren quickly and rather pointedly sends a psionic missive to Amunet-Ra. These ones are far more evil than the Drake. He dared not state much else, given the scenario before him.
His curiosity overcoming him, Rokan decides to reach out to Shraagroom, one psion to possibly another...
You're more powerful than others. The vessel of an uncarnate?
"Hm... you speak strangely, kreen. How came one of the tohr-kreen to this corner of Athas, for I can only assume by your mien and manner that you hail from the far off Crimson Savannah."
"I am thri, but from far distant, after a manner. How comest thou to know of the tohr? Do they come to these halls?"
"Hm... you speak strangely, kreen. How came one of the tohr-kreen to this corner of Athas, for I can only assume by your mien and manner that you hail from the far off Crimson Savannah.""I am thri, but from far distant, after a manner. How comest thou to know of the tohr? Do they come to these halls?"
"Hmmm? Pray tell after what manner? The tohr of the distant West are ruled by the descendants of some who built this sepulcher."
His curiosity overcoming him, Rokan decides to reach out to Shraagroom, one psion to possibly another...
You're more powerful than others. The vessel of an uncarnate?[dice=Sense motive, continuing empathy]1d20+13+2
"How presumptuous. Why should I deign to answer to your interrogation?"
His curiosity overcoming him, Rokan decides to reach out to Shraagroom, one psion to possibly another...
You're more powerful than others. The vessel of an uncarnate?[dice=Sense motive, continuing empathy]1d20+13+2
Shraagroom genuinely feels as if the Company of the Broken Tablet might present an opportunity to resolve the dispute with the earth drake Thunderclap.
Tyren quickly and rather pointedly sends a psionic missive to Amunet-Ra. These ones are far more evil than the Drake. He dared not state much else, given the scenario before him.
If you read the fluff, that determination of the 'evilness' of the monster depends if this particular earth drake is one of the 'True Drakes' who ruled the humans of Yaramuke, and, it is said, other city states, or one of the 'feral' variety. Tyren doesn't currently have enough information to judge which kind Thunderclap might be.
Aura of Divine Favor: +2 luck to attack/damage
Aura of the Moon: +2 to Fort saves, +4 temp HP/turn
Mutagen: +2 natural armor, +4 Dex, -2 Wis
Wounds: 54/54
Vitality: 157/157 (+4)
Stamina: 14/14
Action Points: 8
Mythic Power: 7/7 (uses Surge, Absorb Blow, Retributive Reach AoO boost, HO Mythic Lunge reach extension)
Extracts prepared:
1st: CLW, Enlarge Person, Ant Haul, Disguise Self, Long Arm, Heightened Awareness
2nd: Animal Aspect x2, Invisibility x2, Blood Transcription
Arcanotoxin: 1/12
Mutagen: Used (Duration 0/60m)
Maneuvers readied:
1st: Dizzying Venom Prana
2nd: Weakening Venom Prana, Iron Fang
3rd: Sickening Venom Strike, Tortoise Defense
Stance: Poisoner's Stance
Piercing Thunder Style: Inactive
Armiger's Mark: 0/11
Extended Defense: 0/1
Skill Tricks (per-encounter):
Extreme Leap: 0/1
Leaping Climber: 1/1
Wall Jumper: 1/1
Collector of Stories: 0/1
Far Hand wild talent: 0/2
Cold Vengeance rage power: 0/1
Disproportionate Retribution counterstrike: 0/1
Discern Kith slaver-hunting thing: 0/1
Fortune Hex reroll: 0/1
"I have a method of getting up to the ledge. Does anyone need me to drop a rope?"
Jin peers over the edge.
"Looks doable, thanks."
She fluidly goes over the ledge, grabs the edge, kicks off, and...
-surely she's not going to just-
"SEI!"
-she just drops like a stone for the remaining fifty feet, landing in a deep horse stance with an audible 'crack'. How did she not break both legs?
FINALLY BACK TO THE PRESENT
Jin has kept silent and watchful for the duration of these negotiations- moving only to drink something from a belt pouch and carefully inspect her speartip. Curiously, her dog seems simply to have vanished outright at the first sign of trouble. Finally, she speaks.
"Very well, then. One dead drake for safe passage, you to keep the carcass for colonization and food. I fancy our chances against a single creature, however formidable, than against this huge assembly of mushroom-men.
May we keep the hide? Such things are useful to me, and doubtless of limited nutritional value."
For myself, I'd much prefer to kill the myceloids...but I am bound to accept the decision of our company as a whole, and it will be much easier to kill them if they think we're working for them in any case.
Rokan the Ascetic::"How presumptuous. Why should I deign to answer to your interrogation?"
He turns to Jin, and speaks more plainly to the group.
Why do you so readily take his errand? I'm not understanding why our passage cannot be secured by ourselves. Or rather, if they can threaten our passage then why not can they take care of their own "drake" problem?
Amunet-Ra paused for a moment, hearing her companions out and waiting what the mushrooms would answer.
She nods to Tyren, signaling him that she understood and shares a similar sentiment.
I am but a simple elf maiden, as you stated youself. Tell me oh great Shraagroom the Inimical, Blightwarden of the Purple Pox, deputy of Zuggtmoy, the Princess of Elemental Evil of Fungi, you must have lived a long time and possess invaluable knowledge? What is so special about this drake that it would hold you and your tribe here back or could even drive you away?
She then turns her head to jin En Mok and Rokan:
As far as i'm aware we did not enter any agreement so far, we are just discussing matters. I am wondering the same as you Rokan. They have some powers which could be dangerous to us though. The drake could have powers dangerous to them. We could have powers dangerous to the drake. Do you know this game stone - cloth - knife?
He regards Amunet more casually, with a bit less tension, sensing that his doubt is gaining traction with the group.
I am familiar with the game, and I believe we are a collection of each of the above. Our different abilities have got us this far.
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **
[dice=Sense motive (further empathy)]1d20+13+2
He turns to Jin, and speaks more plainly to the group.
Why do you so readily take his errand? I'm not understanding why our passage cannot be secured by ourselves. Or rather, if they can threaten our passage then why not can they take care of their own "drake" problem?
[/i]"'Ware stranger, lest my problem may become your own if this company does not weigh carefully its words and deeds."[/i]
Shraagroom is annoyed, and concerned about missing a good opportunity to get rid of its enemy. He is hesitant to reveal why the drake poses such a keen threat to him and his retinue.
Amunet-Ra paused for a moment, hearing her companions out and waiting what the mushrooms would answer.
She nods to Tyren, signaling him that she understood and shares a similar sentiment.
[dice=Bluff Secret Message]1d20 + 30I am but a simple elf maiden, as you stated youself. Tell me oh great Shraagroom the Inimical, Blightwarden of the Purple Pox, deputy of Zuggtmoy, the Princess of Elemental Evil of Fungi, you must have lived a long time and possess invaluable knowledge? What is so special about this drake that it would hold you and your tribe here back or could even drive you away?
She then turns her head to jin En Mok and Rokan:
As far as i'm aware we did not enter any agreement so far, we are just discussing matters. I am wondering the same as you Rokan. They have some powers which could be dangerous to us though. The drake could have powers dangerous to them. We could have powers dangerous to the drake. Do you know this game stone - cloth - knife?
By its tone, the myceloid appears to reply hesitantly, weighing its every statement, treading a thin line between revealing too little and too much to its erstwhile guests,
"The grotto in which the creature resides is either peculiarly beneficial or hostile to life forms such as that of my own person and that of my attendants. It was an important component of the ritual gardens of the kreen who built this complex, where they cultivated potent flora with the knowledge of the ancient halfling lifeshapers."
"The earth drake Thunderclap, whose given name is Puthyrith-Rainsey in the Angkorian language of ancient Yaramuke, from whence it came, accosted my hive with duplicitous means and seized the powers of the grotto for its own ends."
"I wish only to return the favor upon the head of my unwanted guest."
"Its continued occupation of the grotto continues to endow Thunderclap with powers that would imperil my person should I lead an assault on its unlawfully obtained layer."
"So far as I can discern, your company is not afflicted by the same difficulties which beset my endeavors."
Shraagroom appears to attempt a hasty change of topic,
"These caverns in which you are now standing contain remnants of the ancient kreen's treasures which they pilfered from their elven prey. Several of the adjoining chambers () are ritual chambers where the kreen clerics would sap the curses from the elven relics."
"I see that there are many of elven blood among you, perhaps you would be interested in reclaiming the contents of these reliquaries? From my long tenure in these halls, I have knowledge of the traps that protect the holding chambers, and can assist you in returning them to your peoples."
Amunet-Ra paused for a moment, hearing her companions out and waiting what the mushrooms would answer.
She nods to Tyren, signaling him that she understood and shares a similar sentiment.
[dice=Bluff Secret Message]1d20 + 30I am but a simple elf maiden, as you stated youself. Tell me oh great Shraagroom the Inimical, Blightwarden of the Purple Pox, deputy of Zuggtmoy, the Princess of Elemental Evil of Fungi, you must have lived a long time and possess invaluable knowledge? What is so special about this drake that it would hold you and your tribe here back or could even drive you away?
She then turns her head to jin En Mok and Rokan:
As far as i'm aware we did not enter any agreement so far, we are just discussing matters. I am wondering the same as you Rokan. They have some powers which could be dangerous to us though. The drake could have powers dangerous to them. We could have powers dangerous to the drake. Do you know this game stone - cloth - knife?By its tone, the myceloid appears to reply hesitantly, weighing its every statement, treading a thin line between revealing too little and too much to its erstwhile guests,
"The grotto in which the creature resides is either peculiarly beneficial or hostile to life forms such as that of my own person and that of my attendants. It was an important component of the ritual gardens of the kreen who built this complex, where they cultivated potent flora with the knowledge of the ancient halfling lifeshapers."
"The earth drake Thunderclap, whose given name is Puthyrith-Rainsey in the Angkorian language of ancient Yaramuke, from whence it came, accosted my hive with duplicitous means and seized the powers of the grotto for its own ends."
"I wish only to return the favor upon the head of my unwanted guest."
"Its continued occupation of the grotto continues to endow Thunderclap with powers that would imperil my person should I lead an assault on its...
The elf laughs,
"Unless I miss my guess, I believe we now begin to circle the heart of the matter."
Rokan nods at the bard, also deflecting the weak attempt at re-routing discourse.
So far as I have understood, my elven companions are not vapid and to be distracted by your mention of their peoples' supposed lost treasure. But back to the effects of the grotto below, how is it that Thunderclap's empowering threatens you more than us? Tell me more about the lifeshaped flora that benefited you greatly, and then was turned against you.
Staying hidden within the shadows of the myceloid's cavern, Hamza attempts to weigh the truth of their leader's words.
Staying hidden within the shadows of the myceloid's cavern, Hamza attempts to weigh the truth of their leader's words.
The myceloid's state of mind is an odd welter of emotions. It is simultaneously panicked, over-eager, angry, and frustrated. The creature speaks on behalf of some other entity of which it is positively terrified, and is desperately trying to convince the Company of the Broken Tablet to perform his strange and perhaps difficult request without the benefit of any great persuasive abilities.
Rokan nods at the bard, also deflecting the weak attempt at re-routing discourse.
So far as I have understood, my elven companions are not vapid and to be distracted by your mention of their peoples' supposed lost treasure. But back to the effects of the grotto below, how is it that Thunderclap's empowering threatens you more than us? Tell me more about the lifeshaped flora that benefited you greatly, and then was turned against you.
[dice=Sense motive (further empathy)]1d20 + 13 + 2
"The lifeshaped artifacts did not turn against us! You have been listening to my words but not hearing them, foolish human! The drake seized their salubrious powers from us. It possesses an artifact that nullifies my arcane powers."
The myceloid's state of mind is an odd welter of emotions. It is simultaneously panicked, over-eager, angry, and frustrated. The creature speaks on behalf of some other entity of which it is positively terrified, and is desperately trying to convince the Company of the Broken Tablet to perform his strange and perhaps difficult request without the benefit of any great persuasive abilities.