Hamza smirks back at the elf. "Good lad, hopefully Kchac'Thraa doesn't decide to return while we're gone. That would be most unfortunate."
He turns to the druid. "Lead on Itko, we have no idea where we're going."
Cae agrees enough and follows.
The Chamber of Convocations of the Soordogum Tribe is a vast, egg-shaped space some 450 paces in width and breadth, and some 700 paces in height -- though the ceiling is hopelessly lost in darkness, its summit can be guessed by the incline of the room's walls.
The main entrance, through which the Company of the Broken Tablet now enter, is a rough circle some fifty paces in width and breadth.
The floor of the chamber is slightly sloped downwards, and is slightly obscured by a haze of mist. At irregular intervals, the fog veil is lit up by the intense illumination of the summoning circles that riddle the floor.
Towards the center of the chamber, the members of the Company of the Broken Tablet can see a myceloid congregating with three other entities. Two are large spider like creatures, and these stand on either side of a robed creature with the head of a wild dog or hyena.
The myceloid mystic Shraagroom stands in the midst of a dazzling trinity of occult circlets. His posture is restrained, as if he were a predator preparing to pounce on a choice victim completely unaware of its impending doom.
The fungus man is clothed with the elaborate ritual garb of a witch doctor. Its broad head is sheltered by a large hide which appears to originate from some immense species of subterranean lizard or insect. The limbs of this carapace form natural epaulettes on Shraagroom's shoulders. His chest is shielded by interlocking plates of leather knit together by a thick but pliable thread which may be some kind of intestine or other organic matter. The myceloid's neck is festooned with dozens of heavy necklaces affixed with baubles of his office.
As they enter the Chamber, Hamza unfurls a pair of shadowy, demonic wings. He flies a couple feet off the floor, and scans the room. He then studies Shraagroom intently, trying to get a feel for the mystic.
As they enter the Chamber, Hamza unfurls a pair of shadowy, demonic wings. He flies a couple feet off the floor, and scans the room. He then studies Shraagroom intently, trying to get a feel for the mystic.
The strange dog or hyena-headed creature stares straight up at Hamza. From this vantage, the demon can now see that the odd being has a blindfold over its eyes. Nevertheless, it fixes its attention fully on Hamza as if it can see him.
Then it speaks, dispelling all doubt about its detection of the interlopers.
"Why don't you fly down here and say hello like a proper noble, little demon?"
The strange, apparently sightless, dog-headed figure is standing in the midst of a summoning circle. It appears to float slightly above the ground within the runes of the pentagram inscribed in the floor of the Convocation Chamber. Its movements suggest that it somehow perceives the inhabitants of its surroundings through... other than natural means.
The creature appears to be genuinely enticing, an attitude that might indicate that it intends to illicit the aid of Hamza and the other members of the Company of the Broken Tablet on its behalf.
Hamza flashes Shraagroom a grin. "No disrespect meant, my friend. I was merely gauging the mood." He lands thirty feet in front of the myceloid. "Greetings, and well met."
Hamza flashes Shraagroom a grin. "No disrespect meant, my friend. I was merely gauging the mood." He lands thirty feet in front of the myceloid. "Greetings, and well met."
The creature displays its viciously-curved fangs in an expression that is equal parts grimace, grin, and snarl,
"Well met indeed, I am sure. It appears were are, the both of us, far from our respective homes."
The sightless-yet-seeing beast cocks its head at an unsettling angle and repeats the same monstrous expression by baring its large teeth.
Rokan sends a quick missive to Hamza. Give the word when it's time to strike.
The monk remains in the shadows while they speak.
The mushroom man is slightly fearful of the two immense arachnids and the mysterious blind dog-headed creature.
Rokan sends a quick missive to Hamza. Give the word when it's time to strike.
The monk remains in the shadows while they speak.
[dice=Stealth]1d20+32
Rokan sends a quick missive to Hamza. Give the word when it's time to strike.
The monk remains in the shadows while they speak.
[dice=Stealth]1d20+32
The creature hisses at Hamza,
"You and I are both a great distance, a very great distance indeed, from our respective kith and kin. What, pray tell, has occasioned your great journey from the City of Seven Shadows? And what means the Council of Shadows in trespassing upon the affairs of my people?"
It regards the two large, spider like creatures with a knowing glance of its ostensibly un-seeing face. They twitch slightly, clicking with menacing intent.
"You have interrupted our parlay with the seer of this lamentable tribe, who has called upon us in desperation after witnessing your dispatch of its erstwhile undead Master's greatest servants. "
"Apologies for the interruption, we did not realize Shraagroom had guests. As to your question, I was initially here on a diplomatic mission for the Council, but the parameters have changed.
You seem to know an awful lot about me, yet I know nothing about you. I shall you ask you the same questions of yourself, who might you be, and what are you doing here?." Hamza replies cordially, trying to keep the discussion calm.
"Apologies for the interruption, we did not realize Shraagroom had guests. As to your question, I was initially here on a diplomatic mission for the Council, but the parameters have changed.
You seem to know an awful lot about me, yet I know nothing about you. I shall you ask you the same questions of yourself, who might you be, and what are you doing here?." Hamza replies cordially, trying to keep the discussion calm.
The creature cocks its head again and bares it's saber-like teeth,
"I am but a humble emissary of an ancient and noble species whose name can be translated into your Trade Tongue as 'Watchers' or 'Harbingers' or 'Guides', though no exact referent exists for the concept. This same august people you and others denigrate with the appellation 'Reapers' or 'Reavers' because of our involvement in the transmigration of spirits."
It gestures at the myceloid,
"This one has summoned us from our native domain in the Deep Gray, and we, merciful creatures that we are, have answered his plaintive alarm."
"Having witnessed the disposition of its erstwhile undead master's greatest servants at your hands, Shraagroom wished to protect his people by means of new allies, and thus opened several of the arcane doorways which riddle this chamber to the realm of my people."
Arcana
Geography
History
Local
Planes
Religion
The Reapers or Reavers are inhabitants of the Deep Gray. They are a race of soul-stealers and traders that have frequently come into conflict with the yaksas and other demons. No one is exactly sure of their origins. It is possible that they originate in another dimension.
The Gray is the land of the dead, but it does not seem as if the Reapers are the transformed souls of mortals, or undead, or any other kind of evolution of the races of Athas.
They have established a number of cults in the Seven Cities that venerate them for their supposed power to save the spirits of adherents from the misery of the land of the dead. The exact fate of those who offer up their souls to these entities is highly suspect. Some of these esoteric societies appear to be competitors, which suggests that the Reapers are not monolithic, but are divided into competing factions.
In particular, the City State of Tyr has a number if flourishing Reaper Cults, the result of the power vacuum created by the death of Kalak.
The Reapers gather up these spiritual offerings in specially-constructed phylacteries.
There appear to be several 'sub-species' or genus of this mysterious race.
One are known as the arachnoloths or arachnichidians, and take the form of immense spiders. These appear to be the foot soldiers and hunter-seekers of the Reapers.
Another are known as the caneloths or bargainers or lykantheropes, which are represented by the blind-folded creature who stands in from of Hamza. These appear to be envoys of some sort.
Finally, there are the 'faceless', pale, mouthless creatures with hateful eyes that are also known as ultralisks or commanders. Some have speculated that these are the aristocratic class of the Reapers, but such theories are just that -- speculation.
The yaksas of the City of Seven Shadows and the Reapers have sometimes clashed, as when the latter have created embassies near the territory of Hamza's people.
The Reaper cults also attempt to lure the adherents of the yaksa societies in Raam to their own allegiance.
"Well, it looks like we have an interesting situation and a potential unique opportunity. We have come here to parlay with Shraagroom in an attempt to get him to assist us in destroying Kchac'Thraa."
"Well, it looks like we have an interesting situation and a potential unique opportunity. We have come here to parlay with Shraagroom in an attempt to get him to assist us in destroying Kchac'Thraa."
The creature, presumably a caneloth, hisses again through its barred teeth in reply,
"As I have already indicated to you, little demon, it is the myceloid and I who were in the midst of a parlay on this matter -- your sudden intervention, doubtless on behalf of the interests of your people, is unwelcome."
The druid takes a position beside Hamza, and speaks softly to him behind a raised hand,
"The caneloth is likely bargaining for the souls of Shraagroom's tribe. It is almost certain to resent any interference in its endeavor, especially from one of your race, who have not always enjoyed peace with its people."
Rokan focuses in to watch the creatures response intently, to see if it can be swayed by Itko.
Rokan focuses in to watch the creatures response intently, to see if it can be swayed by Itko.
[dice=Sense motive]1d20+21
The creature appears intent on keeping the Company of the Broken Tablet out of its negotiations with the myceloid shaman. However, it is also interested in avoiding a melee if possible, having already received testimony from Shraagroom of the group's prowess in combat.
Rokan reaches out with his mind to Hamza and Itko, one at a time, with a very simple message.
It resents our interruption, and fears our combat exploits.
Rokan reaches out with his mind to Hamza and Itko, one at a time, with a very simple message.
It resents our interruption, and fears our combat exploits.
The creature hisses once again at Hamza,
"What business do you have here demon?"
"I have already apologized for our interruption. We had no idea Shraagroom would reach out for additional aid. However, I see no reason why we can not both bargain with the myceloid mystic. After all, unless I am gravely mistaken, you seek a more 'spiritual' deal, while we require physical aid. I will not impede your negotiations, nor will I try to stop you from claiming what you desire. Our people may not always agree, and have even come to blows occasionally, but I see no reason why that must be the case here. We want two very opposite deals with Shraagroom, do we not? Can we all not reach agreements where we all get what we want, and need not fight one another?"
"I have already apologized for our interruption. We had no idea Shraagroom would reach out for additional aid. However, I see no reason why we can not both bargain with the myceloid mystic. After all, unless I am gravely mistaken, you seek a more 'spiritual' deal, while we require physical aid. I will not impede your negotiations, nor will I try to stop you from claiming what you desire. Our people may not always agree, and have even come to blows occasionally, but I see no reason why that must be the case here. We want two very opposite deals with Shraagroom, do we not? Can we all not reach agreements where we all get what we want, and need not fight one another?"
The snarling caneloth appears to reconsider its instinctual opposition to Hamza's entreaties,
"Hmmm... a clever formulation, indeed, I must admit, though we must clarify the terms. Shraagroom desires the aid of a swarm of my guardians, which others refer to as arachnidians or other names, in the hopes of driving out this troublesome wraith from his people's subterranean domain. There is no reason, I suppose, why we cannot ally in this endeavor, as long as the requisite tithe of souls is paid to my ultralisk patron."
Hamza nods "Am I correct in assuming that the souls of Shraagroom and his tribe would sufficiently cover the tithe?"
Hamza nods "Am I correct in assuming that the souls of Shraagroom and his tribe would sufficiently cover the tithe?"
The caneloth breaks an unnerving rictus across its canine visage,
"Indeed -- we shall transport Shraagroom and certain chosen others among his confederates far, far, away to the realm of joy and light and peace."
It holds up a large candle the color of viscous blood.
As the discussion begins, Cae opens his divine senses.
Fate-Detect Loyalties: You divine the top three general things that matter most to the creatures you can see within range. Examples of base loyalties may include but are not limited to: Country, Faith, Family, Power, and Self.
Illusion-Divine Illusions: You divine for illusions. This grants you a free Will save or Perception check (in the case of illusionary disguises or invisibility) against any illusions or invisibility within the area.
Mind-Divine Charm: You divine for the presence of charm, compulsion, possession, and Mind sphere effects.
Telekinesis-Divine Force: You divine the presence or absence of creatures with the incorporeal subtype. For the purpose of this ability, creatures such as unseen servant and other similar creatures of force are considered to have the incorporeal subtype.
Warp-Divine Warp: You divine the presence of portals, rifts (including extradimensional spaces), and teleportation circles, both active and inactive within range. If you perceived a target teleport within the last hour, this also reveals to you the general direction and distance of their teleportation. If the creature teleports to a different plane, you immediately learn this
As the discussion begins, Cae opens his divine senses.
** spoiler omitted **
Fate-Detect Loyalties: For the myceloid shaman, it is his own person, his principle elemental patron Zuttgmoy, and his tribe; for the reapers, it is their own persons, their people generally, and their immediate task for specifically.
Illusion-Divine Illusions: You divine for illusions. This grants you a free Will save or Perception check (in the case of illusionary disguises or invisibility) against any illusions or invisibility within the area.
Roll for Perception.
Mind-Divine Charm: You divine for the presence of charm, compulsion, possession, and Mind sphere effects.
The caneloth is enacting some kind of mind control on the myceloid and one the arachnidians (are you supposed to know exactly what the effect is?)
Telekinesis-Divine Force: You divine the presence or absence of creatures with the incorporeal subtype. For the purpose of this ability, creatures such as unseen servant and other similar creatures of force are considered to have the incorporeal subtype.
Nothing.
Warp-Divine Warp: You divine the presence of portals, rifts (including extradimensional spaces), and teleportation circles, both active and inactive within range. If you perceived a target teleport within the last hour, this also reveals to you the general direction and distance of their teleportation. If the creature teleports to a different plane, you immediately learn this
As Itko suggested, there are dozens, maybe even hundreds, perhaps a thousand or more portals, rifts, and teleportation circles within the Chamber of Convocation.
Mind - You do not need to attempt a Knowledge(arcana) check to identify the school or sphere of these abilities. So school and type, I think yes. Exact spell or ability, no.
** spoiler omitted **
Cae perceives a large vessel of strange appearance disguised to blend in with the surrounding stone. It levitates behind the strange dog-headed creature currently in conversation with Hamza. It looks something like a silt-skimmer, but is covered with knives that flash with some kind of electric force.
Vyse flies from Cae's shoulder to Hamza's, whispering in a raspy, yet feminine voice, "The plains scavenger weaves its voice through cap and web, hiding the sword-storm in the air."
What is he getting at...
What is he getting at...
[dice=Sense Motive receive message]1d20+21
Nada.
"Interesting contraption you have there, what exactly is it?" Hamza asks, he curiosity piqued by Cae's revelation.
"Interesting contraption you have there, what exactly is it?" Hamza asks, he curiosity piqued by Cae's revelation.
The air behind the caneloth begins to shimmer with thousands of small nodules of incandescent light, as if a stream made up of illumination, instead of water, had just been disturbed. The strange aurora continues to grow, coalescence, and then change in color -- shifting in its outward appearance from a rippling bond made up of small pinpricks of firelight to a vast torrent of bio-luminescent emerald.
Once this strange phenomenon has resolved itself, it leaves behind a large vessel, perhaps a hundred or more paces in length, hovering portentously in the air behind the caneloth.
The cold air of the vast chamber is suddenly pierced by the barely perceptible rustle of hundreds of thousands of whispering voices -- or is it a new wind? Indeed, the exact nature of the aural phenomenon accompanying the vessel's sudden appearance is difficult to discern.
In response to Hamza's query, the caneloth bares its teeth in an unnerving rictus,
"That, little demon, is a soul cage."
The blind-folded, hyena-headed creature looks back towards the 'soul cage'. It is composed of what appear to be organic parts, or manufactured components intended to approximate living components.
The soul cage's most prominent component is a large, broad hull, which broadens considerably at its prow, and is made up of overlapping plates of some kind of gray keratinous armor or exo-skeleton. All along its surface, the hull of the reaper soul cage is festooned with horns and other armored protrusions of various sorts. Some are outgrowths of the gray plates, and other, more prominent extrusions appear to be made of bone, or even metal that has pierced the vessel's outer hull.
The broad prow of the vessel is marked by an immense maw filled with hundred of rows of shark-like teeth, each of which horrific denture which is serrated with cruelly-hooked barbs. At the moment, the maw, which is easily large enough to swallow the tremendous bulk of a Tyrian rhinotocerous whole in one obscene gulp, appears inert. The rows of teeth drip some kind of viscous black slime which pools on the cavern floor below. The sound of labored breathing can be heard from within its depths, as if the awful organ were attempting, painfully, to draw life-sustaining oxygen from the air without somehow simultaneously inhaling. The result is an awful, choked noise.
The deck of the soul cage is divided between perhaps hundred or more tiers that rise from the center of the vessel towards its hind and forward extremities. The middle of the deck, where the descending step meet in a broad, almost square surface is predominantly occupied by a large opening which descends into darkness.
Some kind of crane-like implement, though shaped like an insectile proboscis, is installed at each corner of the opening.
The back of the vessel is dominated by a virtually circular dais which represents the highest level of the ascending tiers. On this dais is situated a large device which has the appearance of an egg. It is held in place by a set of large appendages that look like insect legs or talons. The ovoid object shimmers with a bio-luminescent halo of emerald green hue.
The front of the vessel, on the prow above the maw, is equipped with what appears to be a large armory of ranged weapons of strange manufacture.
Rokan sends another quick missive to Hamza.
Do... we need to destroy that thing?