Tamarelle come sit down next to us
After Tamarelle takes her seat Temerlyth looks at each of you in turn with his winsome smile. He seems genuinely pleased to have this meeting. "First off, I must say again, that I feel like working together is going to be a great benefit to both of us." He smiles around the table again, then takes a moment and casts a few spells. Those of you with arcane knowledge realize he is surrounding you in silence and deep darkness. By the time he is finished the only light in the room is the chandelier over your heads, and you feel the incredible dampening of sound as he has created a circle of complete silence all around you. "There, that will give us the privacy we need. Before I tell you about the quest I'm sending you on, I'd like to come to an agreement about a few particulars. The first of those is that there will be times that I will be sending you out to retrieve specific artifacts, some magical, some mundane. I would like to make it plain to you now, that it will be of utmost importance, on many occasions, that I hide specific details about these items from you, for your own personal safety. I know you understand already that you are putting your lives at risk for me, but I will do my best to protect you at all times. Sometimes that will mean not telling you things. Likewise, I want to make it clear to you that should you procure these objects, and try to hide them from me, any semblance of relationship between us will be ended immediately, and I will use my full power and influence to see to it that the very memory of you is wiped from Golarion." As Temerlyth discusses the parameters of your relationship, you begin to see a different side of him: eager, zealous, exacting, precise. It is clear, unlike yourselves a few moments earlier, he is not fooling around. "Are we clear on those two points?" He asks in all sincerity, and waits patiently for everyone to provide their answer.
Why would it be necessary to hide facts about the objects that we retrieve? Yes, we are clear.
a little odd.... Crystal, only why do you need to with hold things?
First thing, if you withhold information that could decide whether we live or die, we no longer have an obligation to carry out your every whim. Second thing that must be established is the actions of one are not the actions of all. If per say one of us decides to hide anything from you, their name will be wiped from the earth, not anyone else's. Agreed? Needing to withhold information makes enough sense. If he gives us too much information we may not want to retrieve certain items due to their very nature, or we may try to use it against him. As long as we receive enough information about the object in question, and as long as retrieving this item would help in Kostchtchie's influence, my sword is his to use through me.
I second what Kaze o has stated. this kitsune is smart and brave
So he's sending us out to retrieve powerful artifacts? What protects powerful things? Powerful weapons! I'm in
"Excellent points Kaze O, you have a shrewd mind, that is, no doubt, why Kostchtchie has chosen you as his champion. If you find that my withholding information leads directly to your jeopardy, then I would, of course, expect any obligation between us to be severed. I also agree that one person's actions do not reflect an entire group. I will, as I have all my life, take things on an individual case-by-case basis." Temerlyth acquiesces to Kaze O's logic, then looks to Sadira. "To answer your question Sadira, which, I'm sure, will also answer similar questions from others they may not have voiced: sometimes I'll be withholding information because knowing too much will put both of us at risk. More often than not I will just be withholding information about the nature of the items themselves. I promise I'll give you as much information as I can about locations, guardians, and the like. In some cases, I'll simply be withholding information because I won't want that information pulled from you by any means of magical interrogation. Really, it comes down, simply, to the fact that, in many cases, the less you know, the safer we all are. I hope that makes sense."
That makes sense to me, however I am left wondering what happens if we die? I have left my tribe in search of something to better protect them; if I go out on your behalf I'm sure that I'm putting my life in graver peril than it has ever been in. So can you give me some sort of promise that you will look out for my village on account of my death? The goblins might have been driven out of the forest, but my people have only barely survived. We are weak, and I am sure the goblins are not done with us yet. I fear that they will return soon, stronger than ever. If I do not return my people will be without their leader.
Kaze o gives a perturbed look as soon as Temerlyth mentions Kostchtchie. I told no one about my relations with him and I go to great lengths to make sure my mark is hidden from view. Now I know for certain he reads minds. I find that a bit invasive of my privacy. Very well. I have but one request upon my death, should that happen. There is a clearing with a frozen lake a mile or two west of Icestair. If possible, bury me by the water's edge. That is all I ask.
I wonder what great treasure lies ahead, ill have to hold back my theifing inhabitions and stick to the mission, i truly hope it is nothing of value to me. Who exactly are we taking these artifacts from, and what use are these to you?
My only family that I trust and can be around right now is Tamarelle, I truly do not have much to lose, what you say make sense so I am ready to begin this adventure when everyone else is. I have nothing to lose, except my own life and Tamarelle Sadira looks at Quimkithe and Kaze o I will do my best to make sure no one dies, healing is kind of sort of my specialty.
Temerlyth takes a moment and sits back pressing the fingertips of each hand together, and leaning back in his cushioned darkwood chair. "Unfortunately Quimkithe, I can promise no such protection for your homeland. My resources are spread out right now, and many of the companies from that mass of people and monsters you've been congregating with here in my complex, are going to be acting as distractions in order to make the chances of your mission more successful. It is my belief though that the power you gain while working for me, will be able to, at some future point, protect your homeland permanently. You must, of course, weigh your options, and if you should choose to leave our association, I will bear you no ill will." Temerlyth leans forward then and addresses Kaze O. "I can promise you this my kitsune friend, I will do everything in my power, should you die, to bury your corpse exactly where you have described; however, I'd prefer to do everything in my power now to keep you alive!" Finally he addresses Tamarelle, but glances briefly at her mother asking the silent question about her daughter's somewhat unsettling outbursts of audacity. Temerlyth's understanding of drow society makes Tamarelle's willingness to talk, unasked for, in front of her superiors a bit dubious. It must be her human blood that causes her such outbursts of uncouth etiquette. "It seems, Tamarelle, that that is the question of the day. Because it is those exact things I will detail shortly. Before I do, though, there is one other item we must discuss: treasure. It is common for adventuring parties to split the treasure gained along the way evenly. As I am acting as your benefactor and guide, I will ask that a full, and even, one-sixth of all treasure you collect is delivered to me, in addition to any specific items that I send you out to retrieve. I hope that is agreeable to you all?"
While he might be right, I may indeed become powerful enough to single handily protect my people I fear that I might die before I reach that point in my training... ah, but what is life with out risk? Alright, Temerlyth, I did not truly believe that you would be able to relieve me of my doubts and fears, but I will consent with all of your requests, including this one-sixth of our treasure. The only problem with this is the amount of treasure we may acquire. Will you lend us some beasts of burden to carry your one-sixth? After all it is normal to sell all treasure not wanted and considering the added weight of your one-sixth we will be greatly burdened and slowed. Additionally, in the case of my unfortunate death I request that my body be sent back to my people, provided this does not seriously impede our efforts.
Also I noticed you had a Alchemy lab, I was wondering if we might be able to look through their as well, I think a few potions might help keep us alive and if you have any wands, those could be useful for me to use on my companions to keep them alive. I would assume he would want to keep us all alive, he did invite us here for a reason, hopefully this isn't too much of a request.
I would like to apologize for my daughters sudden outburst, Also I noticed you had an Alchemy lab, I was wondering if we might be able to look through there as well, I think a few potions might help keep us alive and if you have any wands, those could be useful for me to use on my new found companions to keep them alive. I would assume he would want to keep us all alive, he did invite us here for a reason, hopefully this isn't too much of a request.
When do we get started?
”It appears then that we are all agreed. As to your questions of other resources, you may help yourself to whatever is in the alchemy lab, or the crafting room, I’d just ask that you make a note of what you’ve taken so that I can have my chamberlain get things replaced. As to healing, though, I myself have not crafted any healing potions in quite some time, but there are ingredients there to do so. I’ll have my servants check for any curing wands as well, but again, I haven’t needed any for some time now, so I can’t promise anything.” Temerlyth sits forward leaning his elbows on the table, and you watch him smile a wry grin. ”As to the horses Quimkithe, I can actually do better than just some shabby pack animals. I will be giving you my own personal carriage. It is pulled by a six horse team, and is made of fine wood and steel. Unfortunately my last driver met an unfortunate end and you will need to take turns driving the wagon, but anyone that’s been around horses should find driving the carriage fairly simple. However, I must admit, part of the reason I’m sending you in my carriage, is to help you all with a bit of disguise. “
”You see, the first item I’m sending you to retrieve is actually a skull. Obviously it is not any skull, or I could kill one the stinking goblins in the other room, and use that. No this skull is a relic; it is in a sepulcher underneath a temple to Shelyn, in the remote town of Dabril in Galt, on the border near Kyonin. You’ll all realize, no doubt, that that is close, remembering that the entrance to my lair is under the mountains near the dwarven refuge of Coralesian. To answer Tamarelle’s question about its use, I will tell you only this, it is part of a powerful ritual that I am currently gathering the necessary components to perform.”
”My plan, and, obviously we can discuss it if you find flaw or want to add your input, is to have you travel there under the guise of religious pilgrims, an envoy from the church of Magdh.” Temerlyth smiles at Sadira as he mentions her goddess. ”It is entirely common for clerics of other religious sects to visit shrines and other holy places, so the ruse will work well, you maintain ample disguise while in the town. Your task, simply, is to obtain the skull of Aethelwulf Darkbane. He was a paladin martyr who died defending a priceless work of art that belonged to the temple of Shelyn in Dabril.”
”As part of my plan I will be releasing the hordes of monsters and other adventuring companies you mingled with here out into the countryside of Galt. The disruption they cause will focus all of the currently toppling government’s resources away from you. So your travel should be swift and safe. You do have some choice of route as well. You can either head north out of dwarven lands into the land of Kyonin, passing by, or through, Lethaquel, and then heading on to the ferry over the Sellen River, into Galt, to Dabril. Otherwise you can take the southern road out of the mountains, it will take you to a small village, nothing more than a fishing village really, which, as yet, is unnamed and unrecognized by any government. They have a few boats there that will be able to get the carriage and horses across. Then you’d be heading north through Galt’s Horun Plain directly to Dabril.”
Temerlyth takes a moment to look each of you in the eye, and you can almost feel him gauging your ambition and strength of resolve. ”I cannot, of course, guarantee your complete safety. Sending the wandering hordes out into the countryside, to do whatever they will, can cause both good and ill. Certainly it will draw Kyonin’s rangers and Galt’s defenders, but these monsters are uncontrollable once released, and they are as likely to attack you as anyone else. Thankfully many of them left last night and should be far enough ahead of you as to pose no threat, but still. As, of course, I cannot control every wandering beast or creature whose territory you might enter. The mission is fraught with danger on all sides, but, that is why you are my hand to accomplish it. My hand of Fire and Ice. As Temerlyth finishes his speech, to add flourish to his words, he mutters some incantations and suddenly his left hand ignites, glowing with red fire. Likewise his right hand suddenly glows with a frosty blue chill. ”So what say you my hand of Fire and Ice? Are you ready to get started?”
Kaze o fluctuates between his human form and fox form. Disguise is no problem for me. Any beast that tries to inhibit our journey will meet a swift demise, so there should be no need to worry about or well being, as long as we get in and out without notice we should be more than adiquate for this task. We appreciate your hospitality and the reasources you've granted us. He then looks around the table at his new companions, Fa'm Famo oac Io.
Tamarelle and I are ready, when will we head out? I would like to look through the alchemy lab and crafting room before we leave but after that I'm ready as soon as possible. I am glad he has chosen Magdh for us to travel under, that makes it much easier for me to talk to others and hope for temples of Magdh.
Quimkithe smiles as Temerlyth mentions killing goblins. Thank you Temerlyth, your carriage is more than I could have hoped for. Before we go I have one final question. Pulling his new longsword from its sheath, Quimkithe asks, there is a word on this blade, it is in a language unknown to me. I was wondering, what does it say?
Temerlyth smiles at Kaze O's enthusiasm, and then looks over Quimkithe's blade and smiles even wider. "Ha! It seems fate is truly on all of our sides. That is an excellent blade you've chosen Quimkithe, one I used myself in my younger days. Her name in sylvan is 'Foagh.' Which is what you see written there. In common she would be called Fang." Seeing that all are in agreement. Temerlyth places his fiery and icy hands together creating a quick gout of intense steam. He then reaches out his right hand to shake all of yours in friendship and alliance. "Take as much time as you need, and when you leave, leave by that main entrance to the surface that you came in, down the main hallway off of the common room, then up the winding stairs. You'll remember the stable yard is to your east once you reach the surface buildings. My horse-master has been told already to hitch the team to the carriage, and it should be waiting to take you whenever you are ready. Remember, you can either head out down the mountains into the hills of Kyonin to the north, staying on the west side of the Sellen, or head south out of the mountains, to the east road, across the Sellen and then north through the Horun Plain of Galt. I'll eagerly await your return."
Temerlyth turns to leave, but then stops. "Goodness, I almost forgot. The temple in Shelyn is protected by some acolytes, and, by my last report, at least one paladin. I'll leave it to you to decide how to deal with those threats, but I certainly would have no remorse if I found out they met their eternal rest." His last statement is punctuated with a wicked smirk that sends a bit of shiver down your spine. Truly Temerlyth is cunning and ruthless, excellent qualities in a leader.
Fang. I like that, it is quite fitting. Quimkithe looks around the group, I am ready when all of you are.
we do have to decide which way we are taking, I believe staying on land is our best choice.
Sound good to me
I'm glad he's on our side! Wait, did he say he released monsters? Wonder what kind... Oh well hopefully we find out soon enough! I agree, over land would be best, water doesn't like me when I'm in armor. When you are done with gathering your potions and such, meet me up by the carriage. I'll be waiting! Imfazl leaves the room, heads back to the armory and puts back the trident and lays down his old bow. Wheww, that's better! Felt like I was moving through molasses! Imfazl gets to the carriage and begins to disguise his tail as a curved scimitar strapped to his back.
well the sooner we leave the better, let's head out Sadira turns and casts dancing lights so she can see through the darkness, then walks toward the entrance. I will be at the stable yard when you guys are ready. Sadira gestures to Tamarelle to follow and walks to the stable, only stopping to grab a glass of wine.
Quimkithe stands up and makes her way to the carriage, I will start out driving the carriage if that is alright with you guys.
Sadira's light spell causes Temerlyth to remember to dispel his silence and darkness spells. As he overhears your conversation he says, "You must have misunderstood me. Both routes are on land. One route has you traveling north through Kyonin territory then crossing the river near Dabril, the other has you traveling east, crossing the Sellen into Galt, and then traveling north through the Horun Plain. Here, let me show you on the map." Temerlyth draws Kaze O, because he still remains, to a map that is hung in the library and shows him the two routes.
Kaze o stands and follows Temerlyth to the map. It makes more sense now. Now before I take my leave, is there any last minute information you can think of?
Temerlyth ponders a moment, glancing from Kaze O to the map and back. "Fa'mauo roarra'm iya'au."
"I believe you are all fully prepared. Until we meet again, I bid you safe journey."
Hopefully soon, we'll have enough power to where we no longer need fortune.
Ac nooao a' iya'au
Once Kaze o shows up, Sadira says what she thinks about where they are going I think we should go south, then across the river, then towards Dabril.
Quimkithe jumps onto the driver's post, ready to move out, sounds good, lets get boarded. If we have any dissent we can discuss it on the way out.
As a massive werewolf jumps into the driver's seat of the carriage, the six-horse team jumps and reels, scared beyond reason at the sight and smell of the giant wolf. The horse-master gets kicked in the head as he tries to calm the animals, and falls to the ground unconscious, then the horses take off in a panicked run.
Stupid animals, its not like i'm going to eat you!
Quimkithe falls off the his seat and onto the ground with a hard thump.
Sadira walk over to the horse master and channels positive energy so it reaches Quimkithe as well stupid half Orc then she channels her energy again
Don't worry i will drive the carraige
Tamarelle can't keep her balance on the seat and tumbles off, luckily she catches herself as she hits the grass
Kaze o walks outside and sees the horses running every which way, Sadira kneeling by a man with a blood stain on the side of his face and Quimkithe sitting on the ground. I'm gone for one minute and hell breaks loose... This is going to be a long ride... What did I miss?
Sadira looks over at Kaze o, Quim jumped on the carriage while still in half wolf form, which spooked the horses, so they kicked him gesturing to the horse master then, Quim fell off onto the ground, and so I decided to heal them both.Then in Elven Sdifain herll-uss nur
Tamarelle chuckles silently at Sadiras comment
hehe
Quimkithe dusts her self off and stands up. She changes to her half-orc form and looks at Sadira, I may not understand what you said, but I still know when I am insulted Quimkithe then looks in the direction of the horses and carriage.
Oh and you are welcome for the healing by the way.
Quimkithe smiled, yes thank you for that, vai tkikx iv r'kkro org
Would you still like to drive Quim?
Sadira levitates and holds her silver scythe in both hands I bar'k kl'rx 'k 't ae saab 'boae ka kaerx ka do klaek vaev
Stop it both of you! We havent even got the carriage moving and you are already arguing. Now lets cut out this childneas and get going, we have work to do.
Imfazl laughing to himself the whole.time begins to see how bad this could be for himself if his healer died. He walks inbetween the two without caution and innocently asks while holding up his new greatsword Anybody wanna see my new sword? Looks like it could carry quite a bite to anyone who decides to harm our quest
I would love to see your new sword I remember how Quim had been flirting with Imfazl maybe she could get her jealous as a way to get back
Quimkithe grins at Sadira, I'rr tvoaex r'korv ka vai 'g vai kaer uoguae'r guad 'rtirk'rs do. Then, as if only just realizing that he was there, Quimkithe looked innocently at Imfazl. Wow, these people certainly get agitated quickly, I think I'm going to enjoy this trip. I certainly agree, you have a very large and mighty sword