Nethan gives Eilo a surprised look when she stares at him like she recognizes him, and then frowns when she states she has no time for him. Then thinks to himself, "Hey, you were staring at me crazy!".
Nethan adds to Alþórel's comment,
Like all children they are thoughtless and short sighted at times, but like all children they posses the potential to become something truly great when they become adults. She never saw that, and I see you did not either."
"Definitely not!"
Surprised by Alþórel's solution but relaxes when he looks at the Dryad. She seems to welcome death of the old and rebirth of the new like the Phoenix. Nethan stands by just in case Eilo changes her mind or Alþórel does not deal a fatal blow.
The Dryad is cut down by Alþórel with no intervention from the others. She lands with a graceful fall bleeding out sap onto the ground. Small fiery red flowers begin to bloom from the seeping sap coming from the fatal wound.
The group presses on despite their tiredness not wanting to give into the race. They continue to follow the stone, occasionally catching glimpses of green darting from rooftops ahead of them.
Finally, after another hour of jogging at a steady pace, the faint traces you have from the Zilatan stone converge on this building (on the battle map )with a wide, low steps leading up (10 feet) to shattered glass doors flanked by massive angled stone pillars. A similar doorway provides egress farther down the building’s façade which is in the shadow of a collapsed sky-bridge overhead. The bridge reveals a curious lump of vaguely human metallic sculpture atop the remnants of a pedestal.
Across a rubble and ice-choked boulevard the fallen bridge once spanned lies a companion building, blockier in shape and with what could be a long-empty fountain.
The air is still though the group is wary that something might jump out at them again. At least the stone has guided them to their destination, which appears to be beneath their feet. Doubtful they can just dig down, there must be an entrance somewhere in the building it brought them to.
Nethan looks at the Dryad and hopes what they did was still the right course of action, "Of course it is, Alþórel's is more of a conscientious objector than I! What am I thinking?!"
"Well the Zilatan stone is pointing downward, let's look for an entrance?!" Nethan begins looking for whatever could pass as a physical or magical entrance to the next Heart Stone with the help of his Psicrystal.
Nethan begins to search the area, he tries to find a magical entrance if possible. Moving about he finds most of the rooms empty similar to the buildings they have passed, he finds one however, that has something within.
The room, sheltered by internal walls amidst the detritus of ages and the breezes in the outer corridors, you find a sparsely furnished chamber. A long metal table holds several scraps of cloth stretched across makeshift frames, showing faded patterns and embroidery in the Tian style. Dozens of bottles of all shapes and sizes are arranged neatly, as are a collection of metallic and glass bowls holding strange powders and residues, alongside strange metal devices of uncertain function. A flat slab of stone, marred with many scratches, seems almost like a bed, with a gossamer veil surrounding it. Next to the slap is a metallic box. A marionette man bustles about the room cleaning and polishing the floor to a shine. This place appears to have been lived in once, though it has remained untouched for a while save for the small moving marionette.
As Nethan examines the room he notices something skittering, just above the door he sees a creature similar to what Amelia described when they entered this place. It's gone in an instant climbing on the walls, past the threshold and it rushes off somewhere.
Nethan can detect something faint and magical coming from the box. Upon closer examination he also notices a small trap inside the seam between the lid and the main body of the small box.
Elise watched the execution in silence. Words have already been attempted and found wanting. A pretty death if I ever saw one. she notes to herself as the flowers spring up. A random thought strikes her, inspired by the earlier meeting with the plant-man, and she carefully picks a few of the flowers. It would be a pity to waste these. And they are my colour after all.
________
"This -" Elise comments and looks around, first at the room in general but then focuing on the strange marionette. "- look like our shamans lodge. Remedies, snake oil and curiosities scattered all about."
"Hail there cleaner!" Elise greets the marionette. She figured that the thing probably wasn't all too bright as it seemed slightly too focused on its task. But never hurts to check? Al's 'children' comment was nagging her a bit, but she couldn't *quite* put her finger on it. Maybe he sees us to be too reckless? So she tried a bit more caution. Then again; the old fart can hardly claim he is a paragon of that virtue...
Circling around the room as to not disturb Nethans whatever-wizardy-things she examined the slab of stone. "If I were to guess I'd say this is a butchers table. And they did try to use Atenzukis blood ..." Elise theorized.
Some of the scratches look like cuts, some of them look like claw marks. Some of them look calculated and firm, others look like desperate slashing across the slab. There seems to be quite a lot of dried blood on the slab that has been here for a while. It has been regularly cleaned however, though not meticulously.
The marionette stops looks up to Elise, it waves. Then remains motionless as if waiting for something.
"As I thought ..." Elise pointed to the dried blood. If she had the time she'd probably like to examine it closer, but guessed that the marionette may be a quicker and more intermediate source of information. b]"Not sure why or whom they chopped though. I don't think there would be any game to hunt around these parts."[/b]
"Can you speak, eh, friend?" Elise asks the strange doll-person-thing. She wasn't quite sure about the proper etiquette when dealing with someone of this type. Now *this* is maybe something Al knows?
The marionette nods and a rasping sound of clattering parts against metal it replies. "Yes ma'am, how can this one be of service?"
Nethan is a little surprised by the marionette but since it is not attacking and conversing with Elise, Nethan speaks up, "Amelia, there is a trap in the seam of the lid and main body of this box. The box has something magical inside. Do you think you can disarm the trap so we can open the box and peak inside." Nethan then looks at the Marionette, "Is that ok with you? What is your purpose here?"
"I make the room clean for when the lady returns!" It says happily. "She hasn't returned in a while, though, few days maybe, she sometimes does that. Comes back really tired."
Al freezes at the mention of a lady.
"We saw... a lady's body out there." he says, using truth in place of a lie. "Could you describe your mistress?"
Amelia disables the trap rather deftly, it was a bladed trap to catch people's hands. The blades were tipped with some potent poison. Opening it up Amelia finds a pair of small objects wrapped in mammoth fur. One of them is a bottle filled with what is clearly blood, however, the blood is moving and bubbling within the bottle. The other object is a small coin, with the mintage of 4606 AR. It is brimming with divine power.
The marionette nods and says. "My lady is about as tall as that one." It points to Amelia. "Short black hair that she wears to her shoulders, she used to tie it up in a bun but hasn't done so in a long time. Fair complexion with a thin face, she wears large anklets that clink along the ground. A gentle soul until she starts studying or talking to the elves through her crown, then she becomes agitated. Thrown me against the wall a few times." It talks about its punishment quite merrily. Though the group realize the person it's describing while different in demeanour is Atenzuki.
Nethan at the items in the box to see if he recognizes them, "It sounds like the marionette is talking about Kizutena? And I wonder if this blood belongs to Atenzuki or Kizutena? Besides that Alþórel, I thougt you said the other you are concerned with will rise from the ashes or death like a Phoenix?" Nethan points to the blood in the small box, then Alþórel. He then looks at the coin first without touching it until he knows it is safe to pick up to study closer,
The magic exuding from the coin isn't dangerous nor does it seem to be a specific spell or effect in it. It seems to have residual power from something far greater than basic spells.
The coin has divine magic blessed by Aroden. That seems exceptionally odd to Nethan, as that could only be true if Aroden is alive. Once a god dies all the magic related to them is lost which is why the church of Aroden had a restructuring. The implications of the magic in this coin is rather discerning.
Nethan also picks out that the date on it is the year that Aroden was presumed to have been killed.
"That ... can hardly be a coincidence. Yeah I'm willing to bet you are right Nethan." Elise notes when the marionette describes the 'lady'. The marionette itself seemed to be the most interesting source of information at the moment so Elise headed back towards it, taking a closer look. How much can he weight..? Hmm. And there was this other thing - "Elves in her crown?" Elise asked and added some speculation. "Either they are bound in that headpiece or somehow they have contacted home. Or it could be the whispering ones minions; there aren't that many from our world here from what I've noticed ..."
Nethan looks at the coin, "Hmm, not dangerous." He picks up the coin for a closer look, "The coin was blessed by Aroden himself and it is still active! In addition, the coin has the date of Aroden's presumed death. Let me see if it is not residual magic?" Nethan takes a closer look at the coin to see if the magic is residual or still active, "Is this a confirmation that this demi-plane is an elaborate prison to either keep Aroden locked up for eternity or weaken him to a point in which Tar-baphon can defeat him for good?! Of course, the latter would mean Tar-baphon is still alive as well so we can expect to see him too."
"That would be quite the challenge."
Elise can probably guess that the marionette can't be more than 10 pounds. The marionette is relatively small and made of wood and sounds like it has metal parts inside of it.
The marionette nods at the question "She wears a crown on her head, then elves appear on the wall talking to her." As Elise is adding her speculation she also realises that the marionette is calling them Elves and not Eldred or Eldred of the first generation which most likely means it knows the difference.
The magic in the coin is residual of a blessing passed on by something or someone that touched it. Nethan doubts he can use the magic inside of it for anything but it is still active in the divine sense that whatever granted it power is still able to.
Nethan continues to study the coin ...
"Hmm interesting! I see an active residual divine dweomer which means the coin was blessed the day Aroden was killed or what we now theorized as imprisoned. However, what makes it exciting is the dweomer is still active meaning the source, Aroden, is still alive in some matter. The coin does not have enough power for what may have been designed for but it can still be valuable and even more so to those who are still close to Aroden. If anyone is still close to Aroden, I rather have you or one of you have it. Otherwise, I would like to keep it? Perhaps, the more we recover the Heart Stones, the coin will give us indication that Aroden is gaining power or freeing himself from stasis?" Nethan pauses, "Call it our Aroden compass?" Nethan smiles.
Al shakes his head in surprise
"If Aroden is still alive... it could change everything. Cheliax would unite behind him in a heartbeat. He could reunite the fractured north. Stop Geb. It could truly be the beginning of the golden age of humanity." He hesitates "Keep it Nethan - it belongs with a human."
Turning to the marionette he reassures it "Not the body we saw, then. We would be quite interested in talking to your mistress. Did you perchance catch any of the elves' names? I am elven myself, as you see. Perhaps they are friends of mine."
Nethan assist Alþórel in identifying the blood ...
"Could be ... Hmm... A reaction to Kizuenta?"}Elise suggested, not ready to accept that the god of humanity may still live. It would, as Al said, be great. But if something is too good to be true ...
"Nevertheless. We should try and find her. How long since she was last here you said?"
The names that the marionette begins with are spoken in Necril before it reverts back to common. "Zelphar Venjor, Auluua Miralana and Yrneha Encyne were the main three she would talk to." The marionette replies to Alþórel.
Alþórel and Nethan both know that the only elves that habitually speak Necril are from the Whispering Way. Since they've already met one before on this adventure it isn't a large stretch to think these are again elves of that ilk.
Between the pair of mages they recognize that this blood is similar to Atenzuki's blood. While not identical it likely has transformative properties on Eldred, whereas to the party it's just poisonous. This blood seems far more... agitated... than that of Atenzuki's. It might be something to do with how it is drawn. The exterior of the bottle looks caked in blood and not carefully injected inside. Likely the scratches that Elise identified could be Kizutena draining the blood from herself in a haphazard fashion. The better question now is why? Hard to tell from just the bottle.
Edit:
The marionette nods at Amelia. "There is a foundry beneath us, I often hear it whiring! I don't know how to get there, though. The lady often takes a key from one of the drawers and jumps over the bridge." Turning to Elise it says "She was perhaps here yesterday, or two days ago maybe. She took the crown with her as well, perhaps to talk to the elves in the wall."
"Whisperers." identifies Al with distaste. "Elves turned to darkness. She should know better. Still... what are such as those doing here?"
"Good thought, Amelia. Perhaps we should investigate."
Long standing Elven families as far as Alþórel can tell. They were exiled from Elven society for being necromancers. At least their ancestors were. Alþórel doubts that their modern counterparts are any different. Auluua's name appears in older texts which seemed to imply she has been around for some 1000 years. No surprise there as they were always seeking lichdom which might mean that particular elf achieved it.
A thought occurs to Alþórel, which text did he see that name in. He focuses his thoughts and narrows it down. The text he remembers wasn't a history book or heraldry book. It was a missive from Eþnui to this elf. It seems that the past of these elves and his own are far more intertwined than he first thought.
While waiting for a group consensus in which way to take to the forges, Nethan's curiosity takes the best of him and asks Alþórel,
"Alþórel, are these Dark Elven Necromancers held in the same regard as Dark Elves or are they hated more or less since they corrupt nature? I heard more about Drow shenanigans than about these Elven Necromancers in Greengold."
"Hmm. Not that there would be many other elves around ..." Elise shrugs. It would have been nice if the crown could somehow communicate with their home plane but alas it was not to be.
"Do you know if Kizutena draws that blood herself?" Elise asked the cleaner. "And would you like to come with us? If she has a temper a friendly face may help diffuse the situation ..."
"She does, there's no-one to help out here except myself. I'm not designed for that. I don't think I can even lift the knife she uses." The marionette replies. "I can come along! Say that you just want to talk. She does shout a lot though I don't think it's a temper."
When the group goes closer to the bridge they see fresh blood trails coming from the east. It goes from the path from the streets straight onto the bridge. The trail is just droplets, having fallen at a relatively even pace. The group can hear a low whirring in the background. Some soft stomping as well, the sound of slow and purposeful footsteps.
Nethan looks at Amelia, "What do you think Amelia? Is the bridge, in turn us, safe from traps? And the drone sounds like workers, undead, alive, or automaton is the question? I guess it could be a guard too?"
"All right little fella. Let's go find her then!" Elise scoops up the small thing and places him on her backback. Might be hard for him to keep up otherwise!
When they hear the footsteps, Elise halts and listens. "Maybe a ritual? The blood caries powerful magic after all and I know we sometimes did a bit of dancing around the sacrifice back home ... And this trail seems fresh, hard to think it would be her if she left days ago?"
Dreyyn nods in agreement and follows as silently as he is able.
Elise tries to figure out the trail and can ascertain it is droplets of blood leaking from something that is being carried. Similar to a leaky waterskin, though in this case, it is more bloody.
Amelia can see no traps but does a short hop over with Dreyyn to scout ahead. The both of them creep forward, when Amelia rounds the corner she sees someone and quickly hits the wall so she doesn't go too far. Sadly this has startled the person round the corner and it looks towards them. Amelia is trained enough to not be spotted by the perceiver though knows it's only a matter of time now.
The pair sees a familiar face, Captain Moretti. He has broken down the walls in a rage to try to find something. Considering you know he was after the bloodstones and that you too are looking for a way into what's beneath here. He is likely looking for the entrance.
Tied to his belt Amelia can see the heads of several Eldred. Moretti has his weapon drawn and is inching towards where Amelia had made a sound. Dreyyn is near Amelia, though even Amelia can't tell he's there unless she directly looks at him.
Elise "stealthily" gets her butt over to Amelia and peers around the corner. When she sees the greatly annoyed graveknight she grins out of spite.
"Alþórel, are these Dark Elven Necromancers held in the same regard as Dark Elves or are they hated more or less since they corrupt nature? I heard more about Drow shenanigans than about these Elven Necromancers in Greengold."
Drow are Elves corrupted by Dark Worship. Not all Elves who turn to the Dark from the Bright are Drow. Some of these names would make a Drow shudder.
Moretti rounds the corner, looming over the group. "Ah, my old friends." He says in a voice showing obviously fake elation. "This time you shall join on me on this side! Be sure of it!"
Alþórel: 33/33 hp, 17 AC, -1 con
Amelia: 58/58 hp, 19 AC, -2 con
Dreyyn: 60/60 hp, 21 AC, -1 con
Elise: 102/102 hp, 18 AC
Nethan: 57/57 hp, 23 AC
Elise leaned her poleaxe against the wall and grinned, flexing her claws. This one knew what he was getting! Or does he ...?
"That worked out so well for you last time, didn't hit?" she taunted. "And now inanimate objects are getting the better of you ..."
With that Elise unloaded her new friend and walked up towards Moretti, invoking her colour magic.
"It isn't too late, even for you, 'Moretti'." Al walks forward slowly, Black sword in his right hand.