"I do not know where Kizutena has been moved to. She was captured long ago, although, she would be kept alive, forever if need be. Her age is not restrained like my friends." The roots stop moving. "I was the one that blocked you here, I wanted to be saved from myself and I needed someone to hear my plea. Even if the kingdom has changed, Kizutena must be returned home."
Nethan looks at the gate and then back at the plant, then nods, "Is she behind the path you barred us from? I believe we are searching for her now and our artifacts are guiding us to her until you raised your roots to block us?"
"And uh ..." Elise was a little bit worried she might be rude to the plant - But eh he'll get over it!. "I was thinking can you *move*? Or are you rooted in place? Might just bring you to that friend of yours ..."
"Also, can you explain these masks?" requests Al.
Nethan shifts his weight to look at Alþórel, "Alþórel, The blue mask is some sort of mind altering trap in which you have a strong urge to place the mask on your face. At which time, it takes control of you but it appears the plant man found a way to fight it in order to speak to us."
"If that is the case" The moonflower replies to the roots question. "Then I did block you from saving her, I am glad someone other than myself has gotten to you"
The moonflower sighs longingly at Amelia's question. "My name is Kemenwati. I am from Mechitar ... one of the humans that served the nation. Kizutena was being brought to Geb, our aim was not being trapped... here... despite the many years, I believe it has been years hard to tell with no sun, that I have been here I do not know what this place is. We found ourselves here after a creature erupted out of Lake Encarthan. We were returning from Ustalav and did not want to take our chances with Lastwall. I have a feeling that was the wrong decision."
The moonflower rustles a bit at Elise's question. "I am indeed rooted in place by my captors, I have greater control of my faculties now with the removal of the mask but it still might take me time to remove myself from this wall. Long have these roots been growing."
"The mask is as the brave one says, a trap to lure us into servitude. My troop and I were weak and gave in one by one, thinking we could use the masks to free Kizutena. We were wrong."
"Hmm. Do you know of a 'woman' named Atenzuki?" Elise tried. She guessed Atenzuki would be grateful to know a bit more about herself - and perhaps even converse with this ... plant ... if they managed to get him free. "And once again, pardon my curiosity, how did you end up in your current ... state?"
Dreyyn remains silent, inwardly horrified at the masks of slavery.
"Atenzuki.. that is a name familiar to me. I do not know that she is a woman. Just that the name was mentioned as a target similar to Kizutena though would be harder to get to as whoever it was, was located in Xian." Kemenwati replies.
"I am in the state that I am due to when I took up the mask other creatures in this place opened up my heart forcibly and injected seeds of this plant into my blood. The next time I awoke I was tied to this corner by roots that had been growing out of my body. The mask only wanted me to do one thing, and that was to kill whatever my roots could reach. So I did, and I ate any intruders. It took me a long time to be able to speak past the control exerted by the mask. However, it was worth it, I think. Even if I am left to stay like this till all my life wanes."
Kemenwati's bark groans then it answers Amelia. "I have heard some things about a trap for Aroden though my lady believes that trap is defunct when her former master defeated Tar-Baphon. Are you saying that the trap has been working all through this age?"
Nethan nods, "We believe it is a trap and a prison for individual fragments of Aroden. What better way to capture and imprisoned a great deity then to lure him in, fragment his soul, and disperse the fragments into individual sub-planes with their own methods of control? However, this is currently more of a theory than a fact until we have more empirical evidence for a full revelation. What more can you tell us?"
"Rough." Elise comments. "Don't worry we'll make sure you get to see something a bit more uplifting before your time is up. Even if it means dragging a cart of dirt trough all of this place." She promises with a nod. Poor soul deserves something. And I bet he wouldn't mind smashing some of Tar's grunts if it came to it ... She thinks back to a certain encampment that always seemed to be looking out for new warriors. Coincidently, they also seemed to know a thing or two about magic!
"About the trap? Not much. All I know about it is as much as anyone. It was made to trap a god. How it works no-one knew. My lady thought it defunct so no-one in Geb studied it. That I know of anyway, perhaps some of the undead had all the time they needed for such frivolous studies. Then again, talking about it now I wouldn't think it so frivolous..." Kemenwati replies.
"I'd rather you get Kizutena out of here than spending time getting me out. If I could be safe I would not object, but not at the possibility that my mission failed. Not when it still has a chance at succeeding." Kemenwati argued to Elise's plan of getting him out by cart.
Al ponders the situation 'Is there some way to free the mind in this... thing?'
Nethan fidgits, "Ok you heard him, let's go find and release Kizutena from whatever bonds she may have?"
"One doesn't prevent the other. We'll deal with the time-sensitive task first of course."
"Hold on for a second. Since Kemenwati does not want us to return to him after rescuing Kizutena, let me see if transporting him in a cart is a viable solution?" Nethan quickly studies Kemenwati to see if Elise's earlier plan to transport/transplant him as a plant in a cart or whatever is a viable solution
Nethan has a ponder about carrying him. Bark is fairly heavy and there is a lot of the creature. They could probably cut off the roots given some time and a cart would hold. However, it would be slow moving without some animals to pull the cart. The group could do it themselves though would tire them out. What they have most to lose from the endeavour is time.
Nethan relays the above to the group and then asks Kemenwati, "Kemenwati, were you a humanoid before you became a plant. If you already told us, I apologize for asking again. I or we are just assuming you once were before your chlorophyll infliction. I am asking because if we can't move you, maybe we can take your piece of your root and regrow you? However if you were once humanoid, this will not work. And if you have always been a plant, then not all plants recover by just taking their roots."
"Indeed I was human before I was this. I don't know if taking a root of me will keep my essence with it or my being. I have no qualms if you wish to try. That at least will not slow you down."
There might be some Merit to the plan that the group is considering. The conversation and study of the creature revealed that the plant is fused with red magic, which is a colour school associated with growth. This might explain the rampant nature of the roots. It might also mean he can grow into another one of himself with a well-kept root taken away, however, the one downside to this is Alþórel has no idea what it would do to his mind or if the new sapling will be the same person even if it has the same memories.
After the group has found out a few more mysteries about this place and what they assume is a pocket dimension they continue forth. Following the stone once more. They reach a small open courtyard with a statue in the middle of it. Further in front of them, for the first time they see signs of life or rather activity. They see smoke coming out of chimneys.
The whole group knows they are being watched, by who they don't know quite yet. They hear things stalking them but don't see anything. Amelia points someplace they all look and see nothing except for dust suddenly being kicked up. Something invisible is watching, but for what purpose? They haven't attacked yet if they are intent on doing so.
Nethan feels something unlatch on his person. He quickly realizes what it is and snaps shut the latch of his spellbook. Looking around he can't see anything, however.
Alþórel can audible hear something tugging at his belt. He swats around trying to get whatever it is away. He too can't see anything around him. All the party nearby could see that Alþórel's cloak began to sway a moment before. Whatever it was, it was going for his spellbooks as well.
"Yes - show yourself before I smoke you out!" Elise adds, spinning around while futility trying to spot their invisible hosts. Whatever they were they were fast. And hard to see. So she didn't really want to breathe fire at them if she didn't have to - probably won't catch them anyhow ...! Instead she tried to bring to mind her few lessons in Red magic.
"Hey now?!" He quickly looks through his spell book to make sure it is all intact. Afterwards, regardless of what he finds, he activates his touchsight to put an end to this possible mischief. Once manifested, he looks for the offender.
Nethan can "spot" about 12 very small creatures hiding behind invisibility looking at the group from nearby. It's hard to tell them by touch alone but he can feel they have at least four legs each and two arms.
One of the braver one appears to be approaching Amelia though is making no attempt at dropping it invisibility as Nethan can see that the others can't make it out. Amelia can hear a small whinnying sound, she looks down in front of her but can't see anything. The others however haven't reacted to the sound.
Dreyyn begins spinning his blade all about himself to dissuade any would-be thieves from approaching.
"There are currently 12 tiny (4) legged creatures with two arms. Maybe some kind of centaur because of their whinnying. I can't really even see them using touchsight, only their basic outline. There is a brave one in front of you now Amelia. The others are staying back. Unfortunately, I do not have linguistics. Alþórel, what about you? If not maybe Alþórel and I can try to translate?"
The creatures on the rooftops that Nethan can 'see' begin hopping around a bit, he isn't sure if it is in excitement or intimidate or fear.
Nethan refocuses his attention on the one nearby and finds that it has moved. It is currently on Amelia's leg attempting to steal her starknives. Amelia has turned to the group asking about if anyone can understand them and hasn't noticed the thieving creature.
Al listens careful to the whinnying, sure there is something underlying the semi-random sounds.
"Ah. I see."
"QUICK AMELIA, ONE OR MORE OF YOUR STARKNIVES IS BEING LIFTED!" Nethan point to her.
Amelia starts swatting around attempting to catch the creature. She grasps nothing but air. However she did at least manage to get it off her and her knives are still secured on her belt.
Alþórel attempts to mimic the whinnying sound drawing the attention of another nearby creature. Nethan can see the excitement turn into inquisitiveness as it approaches the bearded man. It starts to whinny back and Alþórel tries to fumble through a conversation at first. Quickly though he begins to realise how they are speaking. They are speaking a variation of Aklo, an ancient language used by eldritch beings. Alþórel realises while it is not true Aklo it is derivative. Similar to how Goblin has derivations from Orc.
While Alþórel still struggles to speak a language he knows only from textbooks he seems to at least get his messages across, he can understand the creature far more easily now that he knows what inflexions he is looking for in the language.
The creature asks "Tall ones loud, why are you speaking so loud? We only want to take your stuff to offer up to the Laughing Lie. He would love all that stuff! It's nothing too concerning is it?" The creature asks in a somewhat mischevious tone.
"'*Only* want to take your stuff to offer up to the Laughing Lie'? Well then, I guess I *only* want to beat them senseless for trying!" Elise grumbles when Al translates. She quickly adds "Don't translate that! Pfff - '*Only"'... Hmh. Might as well ask about this Laughing Lie? And maybe they know something about Kizutena ..."
"Of the Laughing Lie, there is more we want to know." announces Al in a desperate attempt to cobble together a working translation "Clever you are! Offering this is! Gift this is!"
In common he adds to his companions "That name is a little too similar to one we already know, in my opinion."
"The Lie! The Laugh! He rewards each new trick we have. Each little bit of mischief we give him, he gives us a big of his light!" The small creature cackles a bit.
"Oh well, that would be a wonderful gift for him!" The creature reaches out to accept Amelia's gift. "The Lie, the Lie." It hums to itself as it reaches.
Amelia believes full well that the creature would be happy with a singular knife.
Al and Nethan with a bit more of a clue with what the creature said about the Laughing Lie figure his common name in Golarion. He is known as the Lantern King, believed to be the progenitor of will-o-wisps. His magical domains follow Chaos, madness and trickery. The pair of mages have a feeling that knowing that these creatures near them are likely quite unstable. They also have a feeling they won't be able to get here with just talk unless.. they manage trick the followers of a trickster.
Nethan relays to the group what him and Al discussed regarding the Lantern King and the creatures.
The mages have a feeling that they won't be able to make it out of here away from the invisible centaur-like creatures with just talk. Unless they manage to trick the followers of a trickster.
Al turns and jokingly says to his friends in common "Everyone get ready. In ten seconds I'm fireballing this spot."
The wizard suddenly looks thoughtful, and puts his hand to his belt pouch, pulling out something small and glowing white, cupped in his hands.
"Oh!" he speaks to the creatures "Does the light look this?" Carefully he starts to bend down, as if cradling something precious and fragile. "now... you have to be quiet or...."
action 1: pretend to draw something. Use prestidigitation to make a glowstone.
action 2: when he figures they're all gathering to look...
FIREBALL! DC 20, 20ft radius spread.
"Uhum." Elise notes a bit sceptical. But if the wizard *really* wanted to burn the annoying things that much, she wasn't really opposed to the idea. Maybe just not that close? she thought - a bit worried since she recalled the potential some of Al's previous fireballs. Trying to keep a nonchalant tone she replied "Just don't burn anyone we like too much..."
Nethan nonchalantly puts enough distance between him and Al not to be in the radius. He then looks to see where the centaur-like creatures are and looks into the eyes of Al.
Dreyyn will move out of the way if possible.