Rokan releases all his remaining physical vacancy, the etherealness, and softly lands from flight on the ball of his toes. He responds to Jimbli, via minds.
I'm dubious of trusting her, but yes I remember your ever-useful displacement ability. Perhaps keeping the untrusted closer is the advisable route.
Narzor watched the walking chaos that was the group leaving, and after a moment followed them, but not before issuing a command to his skeletons to wait until the creatures were gone then climb the walls and walk a day in that direction before collapsing back into bone piles.
He then hovered after the others.
After a tense moment, Arsione finally alights once again upon the broad expanse of the Plaza of Power, the sorcerous powers which had lifted her into the air now depositing her back onto the firm earth.
She regards the impressive bulk of the impromptu fortification erected by the geomantic powers of the tarek's shaman with a firm jaw, slightly biting her violet-tinted lips.
Arisone then turns to regard the Compact of the Broken tablet with bright eyes, and a surprisingly ready smile,
"Very, well, let us adjourn, weary travelers, to the shelter of my noble house's settlement within the ruins of Kalidnay."
She then returns her attention to the tarek's encampment,
"Rest assured, we shall return at a later juncture to exact the blood price of our guiltless allies among the kamistala'i of the Windrush Mountains."
The journey to the House Nicephorus compound is extended, but relatively uneventful. Its duration, which lasts several hours in gradually declining light of the early evening, emphasizes once again the immense size of the Kalidnay Ruins.
Legends suggest that this was once the greatest city of the Tablelands, though this distinction has also been bestowed upon Giustenal, haunted demesne of Dregoth the Undying, fabled Ur-Draxa, city of the Dragon Borys, and Raam, war-ridden domain of the 'Queen of Chaos' Abalach-Re.
Nevertheless, it is evident that the immense metropolis was once the home of many hundreds of thousands, and perhaps even several millions of inhabitants. The expanse of the former city-state must extend for miles in every direction. Arisone leads the Compact of the Broken Tablet and their confederates through the broad streets of Kalidnay's Upper City, tending gradually westwards, to the side of this elevated district opposite the Lake of Doom and the Fortress of the High Templar Ahmun Ahnpur, also known as the Scarabbhold.
As the twin moons begin to rise in the early-night sky, the impressive profile of the House Nicephorus Compound finally comes into view. Set within a large open space within the former District of the Exchequer, the immense fortification is sufficient in size to encompass a small town. The high walls of the Compound form two primary wards, with a further fortified subdivision set in the midst of these two sectors. The 'lower' bastion contains the primary administrative and residential structures, while the 'upper' bastion is surrounds the looming bulk of the ancient structure known as the 'Citadel'.
Arsione gestures at the ponderous hulk of the strange building, which looms of a high hill above the city. The elevation upon which it is perched is unnaturally shaped and smooth, and curved in an imitation of an immense egg. The Citadel is apparently made of an seamless sheet of obsidian, streaked with marble veins. There are no apparent openings in any facade of the vast, four-towered keep. It is as if it were hewed out in once great miracle from a mountain peak, and then deposited by unimaginable magics to the heart of Kalidnay.
"It is said that the earliest settlers of Kalidnay found the Citadel when the first emigrated from the lands to the south, and that the dwarves who then lived in the Diamond Mines themselves could offer no further insight into its origin or nature, stating only that it had stood as long as any had memory."
"The explorations of one of our scribes, Berenike the Inquisitive, suggests that the Citadel may date to a time earlier even than the Blue Age."
Rokan regards the structure, remarking Impressive. Apart from whatever unknown horrors that might come through the gate above, I suspect this is a very secure and defensible keep.
The monk looks around at his associates, thinking of who he needs to keep contact with in case they need to get out of it quickly. He then scans the elevation that holds the keep to see how one might traverse back down it if the need arises...
Rokan regards the structure, remarking Impressive. Apart from whatever unknown horrors that might come through the gate above, I suspect this is a very secure and defensible keep.
The monk looks around at his associates, thinking of who he needs to keep contact with in case they need to get out of it quickly. He then scans the elevation that holds the keep to see how one might traverse back down it if the need arises...
[dice=Perception]1d20+21
The Citadel sits on a high hill whose dome is a peculiar, and almost certainly unnatural, egg-like profile. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that there is a winding road that slowly ascends the incline as it wraps around the summit. The length of this approach must be many miles, for it rises as slowly as possible, with the highest number of circumambulations that could be used to connect the Citadel to the courtyard below. The at least a hundred revolutions of the path expose it to constant and unrelenting fire from the heights of the Citadel.
Narzor flew after the others, primarily determined to see where they were going and use them as tour guides to the powers of this age. As Arsione plays literal tour guide and talks about the Citadel and it's founding, he tries to remember if he has seen it before or if it is something new.
Narzor flew after the others, primarily determined to see where they were going and use them as tour guides to the powers of this age. As Arsione plays literal tour guide and talks about the Citadel and it's founding, he tries to remember if he has seen it before or if it is something new.
[dice=Knowledge (History)]1d20+20
The odd construction of the building recalls to mind for Narzor a number of similar structures found in the frigid regions of Hyperboria in Oerth, and which are attributed to the fallen civilization of Blackmoor that was consumed in the devastation known as the Rain of Fire. It is said that the ancient civilization was founded by men from the stars whose patrons were a race of enigmatic dragons who were able to fly within the lightless void itself.
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Narzor reflected on the situation, but said nothing. He opted to merely observe for now and then decide what to do with these odd guides he had chosen to follow. Perhaps he would raise them as undead when their actions led to their eventual demise? That could be an interesting situation.
** spoiler omitted **
Narzor reflected on the situation, but said nothing. He opted to merely observe for now and then decide what to do with these odd guides he had chosen to follow. Perhaps he would raise them as undead when their actions led to their eventual demise? That could be an interesting situation.
The ruins of ancient Blackmoor were built by a mysterious race known, in addition to 'Blackmoors', as the 'Chthonians' or the 'Cyclopeans', among other names. They are said to have come from a distant world, and not to be native to Narzor's home planet, known as Oerth or Eryth. It is said they descended upon the northern hemisphere countless millennia past in immense vessels made of the 'substance of night', a poetic turn of phrase which Narzor has previously thought to connect to the obsidian constructions of this lost civilization. They founded a vast empire and enslaved the early inhabitants of Eryth to erect their great cities. Some they transported through a network of 'moon gates' to their other colonies scattered over numerous worlds. It is said that this ancient people were servants of ancient dragons unlike any that presently live in the lands of the Flaeness. They gifted their servants, such as the Blackmoors, with an great and terrible power that allowed them to evolve new and unprecedented abilities as they assumed the shape of their reptilian patrons.
It is interesting, also, to note that the ancient settlements of the Blackmoors contained great pyramids of dark stone, and that some legends say their inhabitants worshiped these objects as living gods. Arsione's enigmatic description of the entity known as the 'Leviathan' certainly calls to mind these traditions from Narzor's homeland...
** spoiler omitted **
He could be from the Suel people, or maybe the Nithians.
The pterran Glitterscale smiles warmly at Arisone's invitation. He regards his old friend with a bright, steady gaze as she descends majestically to the Plaza of Power.
Then, he turns to Hamza and whispers furtively,
"Hamza of the House Mīnakshi of Raam, though I am of course gratified by the gracious invitation of my years-long associate, the gentle Lady Arisone of House Nicephorus of Raam, a fresh scheme has begun to take shape in my admittedly wandering mind."
"I wonder whether I intuit correctly on the basis of your adventurous exploration of my beleaguered camp, and your subsequent discovery of my person, that you are similarly of an enterprising cast of mind."
"Consider this -- I believe, upon more extended reflection, that I may know the way in which the aforementioned Brighttalon, the famed seeress of the Clutch of Kalaan'ai, may have flown."
"Around midday, upon our entrance to the ruins of Kalidnay, after we had ingeniously skirted the tarek marauders from Kareth-Scra who had installed themselves in defensive positions atop the Great Gate of War on the western wall of Lower City, our humble caravan happened upon a strange and curious sodality?"[b]
[b]"This company was made of a giantess who named herself Esilena Lore, and her companions, a trope of jackal-headed humanoids who were self evidently devoted to her brave command"
"This Esilena identified herself as a visitor from a distant world who had entered the Lands of Torment quick upon the heels of her prey -- a slippery hex worker named T'laam T'lisstillit Born of Shadow, and his disreputable associates. This sinister half-dragon bore a dangerous and powerful artifact which she referred to as the Greatest Seed of Tenebrian, by which means he had intended to corrupt her people's lands by the dark magic of his draconic masters. For her race, the noble giants of the world she referred to as Serran, have long striven against the malign power of the Dragons who once ruled the eastern continent whose governance the giants have now assumed."
"This Esilena identified the place of refuge of T'laam T'lisstillit and the Company of the Dragon's Shadow as the Scarabbhold of the High Templar Ahmun Ahnpur, which stands just yonder on the precipitous cliff-shores of the Lake of Doom."
"Our parley was short-lived, but I believe it raised the curiosity of Brighttalon, and that she may, under the present circumstances, have sought to deepen her knowledge of this strange locale."
"In the view of Brighttalon and the other scholars of my people, the kaanistalan'uu the obsidian spheres, such as the Orbs of Kalid-Ma and other artifacts of the Green Age strewn throughout these vast ruins, and in other corners of the Tablelands, are the remnants of a civilization that once spanned several worlds. We believe that a fuller knowledge of its secrets may hold the key to turning aside the unvarying assaults of the Tyrant Tsepan."
Hamza flashes a bit of an evil smile at Glitterscale. "Are you suggesting we infiltrate the Scarabbhold and attempt to abscond with this Seed of Tenebrain, and possibly other ancient artifacts that might within it walls? And likely contend with some rather unpleasant and probably very powerful foes in order to accomplish said heist? Sounds fun."
Hamza flashes a bit of an evil smile at Glitterscale. "Are you suggesting we infiltrate the Scarabbhold and attempt to abscond with this Seed of Tenebrain, and possibly other ancient artifacts that might within it walls? And likely contend with some rather unpleasant and probably very powerful foes in order to accomplish said heist? Sounds fun."
"You have indeed deduced my intended purpose, come let us hither unto the perilous walls of the high templar's ancient redoubt."
"You have indeed deduced my intended purpose, come let us hither unto the perilous walls of the high templar's ancient redoubt."
"I am uniquely suited to such stealthy endeavors. Will you be able to keep up with me? I would hate for you to be left behind because you lack the ability to travel the shadows or hide in the darkness."
"You have indeed deduced my intended purpose, come let us hither unto the perilous walls of the high templar's ancient redoubt.""I am uniquely suited to such stealthy endeavors. Will you be able to keep up with me? I would hate for you to be left behind because you lack the ability to travel the shadows or hide in the darkness."
Glimmerscale feigns an expression of offense, folding his arms imperiously before his scaled chest,
"Fear not, for I am a master of dissimulation. My powers of obfuscation differ from yours, but I am well-equipped for the task at hand."
"Then follow me." He says, happy to get away from Lady Arisone and her ridiculous plots. He teleports down from his perch to any shadowed area about a hundred feet from the Scarabbhold.
He then surveys the fortress, looking for the best way inside.
"Then follow me." He says, happy to get away from Lady Arisone and her ridiculous plots. He teleports down from his perch to any shadowed area about a hundred feet from the Scarabbhold.
He then surveys the fortress, looking for the best way inside.
The Lady Arsione of House Nicephorus of Balic leisurely regards the gathered Compact of the Broken Tablet, absent only Hamza Mīnakshi of Raam, as she gestures expansively towards the massive edifice which serves her noble family's dwelling within the ruins of Kalidnay.
She smirks,
"What thinkest you, friends, of my family's fine abode?"
"Then follow me." He says, happy to get away from Lady Arisone and her ridiculous plots. He teleports down from his perch to any shadowed area about a hundred feet from the Scarabbhold.
He then surveys the fortress, looking for the best way inside.
The walls of the Scarabbhold present a massive barrier -- they are at least a hundred feet in height, and appear to be also of incredible thickness.
The yellow stone soars into the noon sky, pierced intermittently by threatening row upon row of sharp spines of jagged wood. These defenses appear to be intended to deter the approach of any siege engine to the outermost bulwark of the citadel.
The outer curtain wall of the structure appears to compose a vast quadrangle. It is pierced in its midst by a pair of massive gates, each of which are flanked by a pair of tall square towers.
The monk barely breaks his concentration in analyzing the the exterior of the structure when addressed. When addressed, he holds his scan gaze of it while answering.
Indeed, it seems nigh impenetrable. I suppose its level of interior warmth remains to be seen. Surely it has a very... different feel on the inside.
Narzor considered the walls and opted to fly up and then land on it (sticking to the crenellations to stay out of the guard's way). He made mental notes on how he would assault the citadel, before flying to catch up to the others.
The House Nicephorus Compound lies within the heart of the ancient district of Kalidnay known as Seker Paduneith, or the District of the Grand Exchequer.
In the ancient days of the metropolis' zenith, this palatial district housed the Royal Treasury of Kalidnay -- the famed Hat-ka-nebter Ta-kha-uat. Many were the wonders held by this famous institution, many of them seemingly endless spoils gathered by the many Pharaohs of past dynasties, such as in their sojourns against the warlike tarek city-states of the Plain of Rolling Thunder to the south, beyond the vast expanse of the Deadlands, as well as the Hapiri kingdoms of the western coast of Saan-Gabiathan.
The Golden District of Seker Paduneith, though located within the well-defended demesne of the Citadel of the Upper City of Kalidnay, is furnished with a further defensive barrier known as the Aaherumahuamenemhet. This defensive bulwark consists of a low hill studded with a forest of vicious obsidian spikes, as well as a deep moat on either side of the protective ridge.
Within this barrier, the elite of the city's merchants erected their embassies, as well as the elves of the Serpent Singer Tribe. Most of the buildings are of the most elaborate sort observed in the vicinity of the Plaza of Power. They consists of brilliantly painted walls glad with a local variety of granite that gleams as if made of gold, and is reminiscent of the Golden Tower which holds the Governing Council of the City State of Tyr. In addition, some of these structures are actually made of marble and decorated with what appears to be the scales of some large reptilian species which glimmers more brightly even than would gold.
The center of the Golden District of the Grand Exchequer is the current compound of House Nicephorus of Balic, once the Royal Treasury of Kalidnay. The immense structure is principally defended by a vast barrier known as the mazeworks. This cyclopean maze encloses the roughly cross-shaped courtyard in which stands the unnatural precipice housing the Citadel -- once the center of the Royal Treasury, and now the seat of House Nicephorus in the ruins.
The Lady Arsione conducts the Compact of the Broken Tablet through a tunnel which leads beneath the looming expanse of the mazeworks which surround the Citadel. The entrance to the tunnel lies on the north side of the Compound, and is defended by several large half-giant guards, who scarcely seem to relax even when confronted with their mistress. They all wear the black and white togas which appear to be emblems of House Nicephorus. A pair of the clanking automatons that accompanied Arsione's raiding party also watch the entrance to the tunnel, and these are joined by those returning with their mistress from the expedition to the caravan ambush at the Plaza of Power.
The subterranean corridor is completely smooth, as if made of glass, and extends several hundred feet under the massive bulk of the mazeworks. It is illuminated by the light shed by a large species of firefly which appears to patrol the corridor.
The far end of the tunnel, which seems to lead precipitously down, as if it were the slope of a steep hill, and before it rises once again, terminates in a defensive bastion equipped with both interior and exterior defenses. It resembles something like a pointed anvil or a stone ship, except that the prow is laden with rows of obsidian spikes. From its summit rises a tall tower whose highest pinnacle is lost in the gleam of the midday sun.
The broad plaza in front of the immense edifice of the Citadel is filled with the repurposed dwellings of the ancient caretakers of the Royal Treasury. These cluster in an approximate square around the bastion which forms the terminus point of the entry tunnel.
"Then follow me." He says, happy to get away from Lady Arisone and her ridiculous plots. He teleports down from his perch to any shadowed area about a hundred feet from the Scarabbhold.
He then surveys the fortress, looking for the best way inside.
The former Fortress of the High Templar Ahmun Ahnpur is surrounded by two immense curtain walls, each of at least 100 feet in thickness. The walls of the inner court rise higher than those of the outer defenses, and over the top of these defenses rises the immense edifice of the Spires of Apep, the central citadel of the vast fortification. It is carved into the shape of a skull of gigantic proportions, out of which rises a high spire from which the rest of the ancient city might be surveyed.
The Outer Court is pierced in a dozen gates, one on each of the north-south axis of the huge rectangle, and five on each western and eastern side. These are all closed.
Hamza looks to his companion. "I'm going to guess our target is within that skull fortress, and that it would be rather pointless to try and make our way through the outer section, if we don't have to?"
Hamza looks to his companion. "I'm going to guess our target is within that skull fortress, and that it would be rather pointless to try and make our way through the outer section, if we don't have to?"
Glimmerscale smirks in reaction to the demon's nonchalant remarks,
"Why yes, you are quite perceptive that the former demesne of the High Templar Ahmun Ahnpur of Kalidnay is indeed our ultimate objective. However, I do not understand why you effect so sanguine an attitude in regards to the difficulty of reaching said vantage. Do you truly imagine that no defenses lie betwixt our persons and the center of this impressive stronghold."
As they pass through the privileged tunnel, Rokan takes note.
With the half-giant guards, the bypass would seem to be painting a target on itself...
Rokan looks to the Lady and asks, How often do your guards fight off intruders at this entry?
As they pass through the privileged tunnel, Rokan takes note.
With the half-giant guards, the bypass would seem to be painting a target on itself...
Rokan looks to the Lady and asks, How often do your guards fight off intruders at this entry?
[dice=Sense Motive, how loyal or staunch do the half-giant guards seem (Skill God)]20+21
[dice=Perception, any secret passages in the tunnel (Skill God)]20+21
They seem completely brain washed -- the light behind their eyes is strangely dimmed.
No side tunnels or secret doors are evident. However, there is clearly some kind of mechanism for closing the aperture -- there appears to be some kind of track for a large plug to cascade down the ascent ramp.
The balican noble lady smirks,
"We are subject to intermittent assaults by the forces of other factions with the ruins. They have never come close to penetrating our defenses. The last attempt was by a party of the tareks and their allies some three days past."
The monk nods, feigning being impressed. Very good. They must be very loyal guards to hold out for so long.
Glimmerscale smirks in reaction to the demon's nonchalant remarks,
"Why yes, you are quite perceptive that the former demesne of the High Templar Ahmun Ahnpur of Kalidnay is indeed our ultimate objective. However, I do not understand why you effect so sanguine an attitude in regards to the difficulty of reaching said vantage. Do you truly imagine that no defenses lie betwixt our persons and the center of this impressive stronghold."
The shadow demon flashes Glimmerscale a grin "Well, we're about to find out. If this works, we'll pretty close to our goal. If not, we'll do it the more mundane way."
He cuts a shadowy rift in the air with his kama, and motions the pterran to step through.
Glimmerscale smirks in reaction to the demon's nonchalant remarks,
"Why yes, you are quite perceptive that the former demesne of the High Templar Ahmun Ahnpur of Kalidnay is indeed our ultimate objective. However, I do not understand why you effect so sanguine an attitude in regards to the difficulty of reaching said vantage. Do you truly imagine that no defenses lie betwixt our persons and the center of this impressive stronghold."
The shadow demon flashes Glimmerscale a grin "Well, we're about to find out. If this works, we'll pretty close to our goal. If not, we'll do it the more mundane way."
He cuts a shadowy rift in the air with his kama, and motions the pterran to step through.
Because of the blurring of reality between the Plane of Shadow and the Material Plane, you can't make out details of the terrain or areas you pass over during transit, nor can you predict perfectly where your travel will end. It's impossible to judge distances accurately, making the spell virtually useless for scouting or spying. Furthermore, when the spell effect ends, you are shunted 1d10 × 100 feet in a random horizontal direction from your desired endpoint. If this would place you within a solid object, you are shunted 1d10 × 1,000 feet in the same direction. If this would still place you within a solid object, you (and any creatures with you) are shunted to the nearest empty space available, but the strain of this activity renders each creature fatigued (no save).
The monk nods, feigning being impressed. Very good. They must be very loyal guards to hold out for so long.
The balican lady appears to at least partly discern Rokan's insincerity, as she replies with a noticeably clipped tone,
"Yes, they are."
[dice=Perception (Skill God)]20+21
Rokan hears some kind of commotion from the other side of the vast barrier of the Mazeworks. It appears as if the frequent testing of the House Nicephorus' defenses to which the Lady Arsione has just referred has once again resumed...
Hearing the activity resume, Rokan asks, Once we get to the other side, is there a vantage point from which we might observe the Mazeworks?
Hearing the activity resume, Rokan asks, Once we get to the other side, is there a vantage point from which we might observe the Mazeworks?
The far side of the curious tunnel terminates in the large defensive structure which the new residents of the complex have dubbed 'the Barbican'. It is not as old a structure as the Citadel which overlooks the entire complex, but was constructed by the High Templar Bashmenet-Nekrephiries, Mistress of the Royal Treasury, in order to guard the approach to the storehouses of Kalidnay's seemingly endless wealth. It is said that the structure was christened by a vast blood sacrifice whose victims' life energies were woven into the shimmering red walls of the enormous structure.
The architectural profile of the Barbican is that of an enlongated hexagon, and consists of six levels of densely-nested corridors, in addition to a tall spire, known as the Tower of Weeping Wounds, or the Bleedspire, which rises to an immense height of 36 stories above the surrounding ruins.
The protections of the Barbican are both external and internal, in that they are meant to deter intruders from outside and within its walls, a distinctive arrangement necessitated by the fact that the innermost portion of the Barbican's first level encloses the terminous point of the entrance tunnel.
The vast majority of the complex's remaining buildings form a square around the Barbican which lies in the looming shadow of the artificial hill which houses the immeasurably ancient edifice of the Citadel.
"Yes, we might well ascend the Tower of Weeping Wounds which rises above the parapets of the Barbican. I have myself personally observed several conflicts between our forces and those of hostile parties from this vantage point."
Jimbli quietly follows. Being near a being who has shown the ability to nullify his powers (including his means of survival and escape) troubles him deeply.
He simply nods in acceptance of Arsione's suggestion.
Jimbli quietly follows. Being near a being who has shown the ability to nullify his powers (including his means of survival and escape) troubles him deeply.
He simply nods in acceptance of Arsione's suggestion.[dice=perception]1d20+25
Jimbli hears some kind of commotion from the other side of the vast barrier of the Mazeworks. It appears as if the frequent testing of the House Nicephorus' defenses to which the Lady Arsione has just referred has once again resumed...
The ascent through the immense defenses of the Barbican feels interminable. The enormous rose marble monument of the High Templar Bashmenet-Nekrephiries, Mistress of the Royal Treasury unfolds in room after nested room. The cyclopean edifice rises six stories in height, each level of which must hold almost a thousand rooms. The thick exterior wall, itself some tens of feet in breadth and seemingly impenetrable, is pierced by hundreds of small arrow slits on each level. And each of these myriad chambers is carved, though the imagination balks at by what awesome arcane means, from from a single immense slab of glistening rose marble. The surface of the material appears almost viscous, as if it were either made or, or covered in, freshly slipped blood.
The Compact of the Broken Tablet finally attains the uppermost level of the structure through a lengthy, circuitous route, probably reflective of the structure's defensive design, that appears to wind, like the coils of a snake, throughout each level, extending the journey as long as possible. They arrive on a broad, open expanse which forms of the roof of the main bastion. The edge of the large space is cordoned by serrated crenelations, behind which are stationed dozens of large siege weapons.
From the center of the front half of the open roof rises a tall square tower made of the same slick red marble as the rest of the immense fortification. This spire rises another 30 stories in height above the hexagonal keep from which it ascends.
Finally, having attained the top of the Spire of Weeping Wounds, the members of the Compact of the Broken Tablet find themselves possessed of a vantage of over a kilometer above the surrounding ruins, even above the great mass of the Mazeworks. From the open summit of the tower, they can see the far side of the barrier, to the aperture in the earth where the entrance tunnel to the compound pierces the open square in front of the House Nicephorus Compound. A dozen half-giant guards and a half-dozen lumbering automatons now surround the opening. They are gradually approached by a party what appear to be dog-headed humanoids, all heavily armored. These are accompanied by a large party of tareks. The strangest member of the assaulting party is a floating vessel, which appears in the shape of a large, inflated bladder. From this hovering object is suspended a platform on which stands a giantess who aims an immense crossbow from her vantage above the battlefield.
"Hmmm..." mumbles their erstwhile host, "that is... curious..."
As they walk through the winding of many many rooms, Rokan queries their host about the make of this place.
Might I ask, good Lady, what power, Arcane or otherwise was used to hew these numerous rooms, seemingly out of one massive slab, or otherwise construct it out of many to seem so seamless? Is it a power available at one source or did it have to be gathered from many when this place was erected?
---------------------
Up at their apex, Rokan watches the odd party approach the entrance alongside Arsione with curiosity.
I take it this is an assembly of intruders you're not familiar with?
As they walk through the winding of many many rooms, Rokan queries their host about the make of this place.
Might I ask, good Lady, what power, Arcane or otherwise was used to hew these numerous rooms, seemingly out of one massive slab, or otherwise construct it out of many to seem so seamless? Is it a power available at one source or did it have to be gathered from many when this place was erected?
---------------------
Up at their apex, Rokan watches the odd party approach the entrance alongside Arsione with curiosity.
I take it this is an assembly of intruders you're not familiar with?
[dice=Sense motive (skill god)]20+21
"The ancient legends of the fabled city-state of Kalidnay state that this impressive complex which now hosts my esteemed family was once the Royal Treasury of Kalid-Ma, sorceress queen of Kalidnay. The queen's mistress of the treasury was the High Templar Bashmenet-Nekrephiries, a red-haired beauty who, it is rumored, hailed from a distant northern city-state known as Arsa'la of the Shuddering Plain."
"When Bashmenet-Nekrephiries saw fit to erect this grand defense for the approach to the Citadel, in the aftermath, it is said, of a particularly devastating assault by the Sultana of Celik, she caused a great number of magically-sensitive youths, many the children of nobility, to be brought forth and sacrificed to commence the enchantment of the blood marble of the Mountains of Ruum, and from thence she fashioned, by terrible means, the impenetrable edifice which now surrounds you."
As they walk through the winding of many many rooms, Rokan queries their host about the make of this place.
Might I ask, good Lady, what power, Arcane or otherwise was used to hew these numerous rooms, seemingly out of one massive slab, or otherwise construct it out of many to seem so seamless? Is it a power available at one source or did it have to be gathered from many when this place was erected?
---------------------
Up at their apex, Rokan watches the odd party approach the entrance alongside Arsione with curiosity.
I take it this is an assembly of intruders you're not familiar with?
[dice=Sense motive (skill god)]20+21
"I believe that I have heard mention of these new assailants from our steadfast allies among the kamistila'i of the Windrush Mountains. The giantess and her lupine allies are, they believe, travelers from a distant world. My own education and research leads me to, alternatively, to believe that, like our allies the slassans, these are in fact wanderers in the streams of time. This world is unimaginably ancient, and some 400 quadrillion years or more have passed since the sleeping creator Temulea gave its hollow vault breath from the deepest recesses of the galactic void."
"Though currently lack the evidence to prove this assertion, I believe the giantess and her allies hail from a distant future, when our peoples, climes, and teeming cities have long been buried beneath a sea of shifting sands."
"During the passage of their previous caravan, the twin kamistila'i greentalon and goldenfang reported to me that they had met with travelers within the ruins of Kalidnay who had taken up residence within the Scarabhold of the High Templar Ahmun Ahnpur. These consisted of a wizened and slightly deranged magi dragon-man known as T'lamtlistillit the Shadowbourne, and several of his allies. They reported that they had been pursued from a distant land by the giantess Esilena Lore and her guard of dragon-slayers known as the scale-breakers, who sought to squelch the sage's attempted trespass into the ancient territories of his draconic masters. These lands the race of giants of which this one Esilena is a member had later conquered and held as their own. For their part, the dragons, through their agents such as the aforementioned magi Shadowbourne, sought the return of what they held to be their ancient rights."
Rokan perks up at the suggestion that these would-be assailants are from a distant future.
No doubt they've come here to gain some advantage in their own time. Do you have a plan to instead extract advantage from them? I suspect they have knowledge that would prove indispensable to the direction of power in this time.
Rokan perks up at the suggestion that these would-be assailants are from a distant future.
No doubt they've come here to gain some advantage in their own time. Do you have a plan to instead extract advantage from them? I suspect they have knowledge that would prove indispensable to the direction of power in this time.
Arisone smiles coyly,
"Rokan the Ascetic of Tyr, if I were wise enough to enjoy the possession of such a stratagem, would I not also be of sufficient intelligence not to divulge its nature to an as yet untested ally?"