kn (planes)
"Uh...hello? We are here on a mission of Good, and do not seek to do you harm."
He repeats the above in Undercommon if the Shae does not respond.
1d20+4 kn (planes)
"Uh...hello? We are here on a mission of Good, and do not seek to do you harm."
He repeats the above in Undercommon if the Shae does not respond.
The wispy creature appears startled by the voice and she floats (hovers) up a bit. Her nearly translucent form replies in common, "Mission of Good?" Somewhat confused with the comments meaning.
"We seek an evil half-ork who stole a weapon of great power. He is trying to bring destruction and death to our home, so we followed him here and would like to stop his plans."
As sudden as the deeper darkness engulfed Grung it now disappears. The dwarf and Croaker are there unharmed but a bit bewildered at the occurrence.
You find it impossible to focus directly on her. Her form blends and shifts constantly but you can tell based on the mask that she is hovering over the small stone statue. She pauses for a moment then responds, "You are seekers. Just follow statues to the Keeper. Veer from the route and trouble will find you."
What the crap just happened?
The Shae responds to Grung. "You're in a demi-plane between light and shadow. Shadow's come and go. How do you say it," she searches for the word, "...spontaneously."
"My thanks, ma'am. We hope to be out of this place at the soonest opportunity."
Karnog turns to Grungsdi with a smile. , "That was diplomatic relations, my lord."
The darkness? Strange diplomacy...Thank ye kindly maam. Grung says with his kingliest voice.
Let us head to the next statue!
Grung will lead the way with his sling out.
The trail roll and moves as you walk the path. As you venture forth the air gets cooler and a dark winged shadow swoops past the obsidian low hanging moon. The moon looks close enough to fly to, and you swear you can feel the gusts of the massive shadowy wings buffet. A chill runs up each of your spines as you witness the shadow dragon move gracefully out of view.
Shortly thereafter you enter a clearing as far you can see given your limited field of sight, dotted with twisting cherry-blossom trees and bioluminescent petals of pale shade of blue that shed light equivalent of candlelight.
Moss-covered, stoned lanterns line the flagstone path leading to the and ancient wooden structure. The Starlight Shrine rests looks inviting...compared to everything else you've seen...
"Well, at least it seems we made it. I can't say I'm happy to see such a large shadow dragon flying overhead, but it didn't see us. So, shall we?"
Karnog looks to his comrades and gestures towards the shrine with his hammer.
"Yes. I could really be without a dragon. But the shrine does look inviting."
Felicitas takes a moment to enjoy the beauty of the place.
Grungsdi leads the way to the shrine, ready to be jumped
Moss-covered, stone lanterns line the flagstone path leading to the spacious courtyard in front of the shrine with a large, white-lacquered tori marking the courtyard's entrance. The shrine is a two-story lodge constructed entirely from interlocked timbers; not a single nail was used in the construction. The architecture of the shrine is notably Eastern, with sweeping points at the corner of its terra-cotta shingled roof and ornate iron lanterns hanging from each corner.
You stand before sliding, double-doors. You don't see or hear anyone.
"Investigate, Desmond."
Agreed, maybe that ax can find its way into your chest and we can get it back. Should only hurt a bit
Kalim chuckles grimly.
Nym cast shield before he walks in.
As the party stands at the double-doors, they open.
Beyond sliding, double‐doors, the ground floor of the shrine greets visitors with a spacious foyer lit by stone braziers burning with continual flame. On the western wall is a wide mural depicting a lone mountain silhouetted by an enormous full moon. A pair of statues flank the mural, one depicting a robed woman with her hands outstretched above, the other a similarly dressed woman gracefully standing on one foot, reaching down towards the ground. A low, wooden table surrounded by squat tools rests opposite the statues at the eastern side of the
shrine, adorned with a decorative tea set and floral arrangements of duskblossoms. A spiral staircase ascends the northern side of the shrine to the second floor.
Standing on the spiral staircase the "Keeper". Dressed in an immaculate robe of black and white silks, this ivory skinned woman has long hair as black as night, flecked with stardust, and white eyes that shed moonlight. "You've come a long way. Surely, a bit of food and refreshment are in order." Her singsong voice greets.
Looking at the woman Felicitas bows deeply and smiles."Let us exchange water, bread and salt and follow the laws of hospitality!"
The quizzing woman wonders what those items tell her of the local faith.
"Fresh spring water or stout mead to quench your thirst." She smiles a the dwarves. "Although water is refreshing, your hardy folk have a look for something with a bit more of a kick." She motions and a table appears fit for a feast. She glides down the stairs to join the group. A freshly baked glazed ham is perfectly carved into think slices and freshly back rolls smell as if they just came out of the oven.
"Please help yourselves. I'm am the Keeper. Be my guests."
KN: planes (unless you'd like to use my earlier roll) to know if this is one of the places where you avoid eating or drinking, lest you become a permanent resident.
"An ale does sound quite proper, or mead as you've suggested. If you will allow, though, we have encountered many evil creatures looking to beguile and trick us in the past. Is there any hidden attachments or obligations here? I ask openly and honestly, we're really only looking to track down a man who stole a weapon from us, not to spend the rest of our days here on this plane."
Karnog smiles as he witnesses a Heroes Feast. He welcomes the hospitality.
"There is nothing hidden about the feast before you. However, there is a deed to be done for answers to your quest. I do believe your search and the deed that I will request intersect."
Kalim looks to Karnog for direction.
"It's a Heroes Feast spell, like the one I've cast in the past. Might as well tuck in, get some grub an' ale in ya, and hear the lady out."
Karnog sits and begins to eat, keeping his buckler and hammer nearby, and his armor on.
"You seek knowledge, No? A half-orc transporting a mighty weapon of destruction." The soft but firm voice inquires. "The orc seeks to deliver the weapon to one interested only in evil. What might you be willing to do, if you crossed and intersection of evil beings?"
Eating with gusto Felicitas takes her time to politely wipe her mouth with the napkin to answer. "Quite a bit, but we have to catch the orc. Any detour might cost us timewise!"
The Keeper nods. "Let me provide some context of evil that abounds. There is a balance within all of nature, and it is known that this balance stretches down to within subsets of life." she explains. "Law is balanced with Chaos; Good is balanced with Evil." She looks to each party member to make sure they understand. "To take this example a bit further not all evil is treated equally. There is lawful evil which in it's own perversion has a hierarchical order to it. While Chaotic Evil exists with out rules." She stops to stress the point. "Now, forces of Lawful Evil are at odds with forces of chaotic evil and vica versa. There is a natural balance there." Stressing the point. "Just like devils who have a respect for law and order are at constant strife with demons who have no respect for law but instead price total randomness."
She brings the lesson home. "the Goddess of magic, Hecate, is lawful evil and hates her counterpart the Demon Orcus with a passion. That weapon that you chase was created by Orcus and has a bit of his essence if that weapon makes it to Goddess Hecate the balance that exists will be tilted. Massive destruction will unfold on many planes including the material plane. Imagine a destruction that leaves carnage at every corner of life. The good will suffer just like everyone else."
"Now, if that weapon makes into Hecate's pet shadow dragon Hrourvex's possession, the balance will tip. Hrourvex will give it to Hecate and that will give the goddess an upper hand in the grand war."
She lets this information sink in.
Killin a dragon? I can get on board with that! Grung says between bites and slurps
Karnog sets into the food and drink with gusto, listening carefully to the Keeper as she speaks.
"Aye, that makes sense. The Great Creator opposes the Prince of Undeath on more than just the rule of Law, he fights him for the sake of Good as well. But I can see why an Evil deity, focused on lawful actions and rules, would fight him as well. That's good news for us, for once!"
After downing his mug, he looks at the Keeper directly.
"So, this Hecate, a goddess of witches and magic, wants this blasted axe? And if she gets it, she'll fight against Orcus with greater power? What happens after that battle, does she turn her gaze on our plane? Come in the dark to snatch up our children and curse crops and the like? Not that I'm turning down help, mind, but you've gotta look at the cost of these things, ya know?"
She smiles at the Grung, "Killing Hrourvex is an option but not the best option. if you managed to succeed that will undoubtedly raise Hecate's fury against you. This hated that they share is the result of Orcus corruption of Hecate's prized disciple Phalen. Now if you managed to kill Hrourvex all Hell will breakout seeking vengeance." She pauses and takes a sip of wine. "No, you must get to the orc before he can give it to Hrourvex. Fortunately, the orc is wandering aimlessly in the woods utterly lost." She smiles.
Desmond is busy having his fill and flashing smiles at the otherwordly lady, but as things escalate he slows down. "You know I've been on the whole 'world saving' missions before, tend to be more risky than they're worth."
"Who was it that was so weak-willed and foolish as to be taken over by the damned weapon and then lose it? Ah, yes, Desmond, whose opinion means nothing here. Thank you for the comforts, my lady. Little has been comforting here in the shadows. Better than the Void, at least."
"That coming from a guy who talks to his own tumor."
"He'd have been a better guard than you. Stop deflecting. This is on you. Be a man an accept it."
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"To be fair it was you guys who let me take them in the first place."
"This conversation is not useful or productive. I think k we all know that Desmond was beguiled by the power in the axe, and foolishly let his genitals do his thinking for him. Again. But now, we have to find this thief, ideally put an end to him, and then dispose of the blasted weapon before any more harm comes from it. At least this food is good, and the orc is lost in the woods, or so our host claims. Small mercies, I suppose. "
"To be fair it was you guys who let me take them in the first place."
"Now, find the orc he is with a powerful Kyton called Pilum. They search for Hrourvex. I've been able to shift their terrain a bit to aid in their confusion.." She holds out a small grey crystal. "When you get closer to them this gem will warm; likewise, as you get farther it will chill. She sips wine. "Follow the center path when you leave the shrine and you will get to the them...eventually."
"When you get the weapon come back and I'll discuss the Shrines of Power with you and why the axe must not be destroyed." she smiles. "Don't worry the crystal will guide you back." She pauses deadpan. "Beware of Hrourvex."
Felicitas tabs Desmond on the shoulder."Are you sure you want that one to be your argument. Because if it is, it means we have to nail your hands on the table, in manacles, with nails through your fingers for good measure and with your feet in iron chains and a sock in your mouth in the future to prevent you to do something so utterly stupid again.
I mean, do not get me wrong, if you really think that you need such loving care to protect you from our neglicence, just say so.
But then sweety, you need balls as big as your mouth.... every night! Because I expect you to man up and take the pain without flinching.
Because if I look left and right we all just LOVE it here!"
"Oh Felicitas, please don't try to sweet talk me. I roll with the worst of them and I know all the tricks, it takes more than that to get into my breeches."
"Keep alienating your allies, Desmond. A fool undoes himself. It would be a shame if any of your precious shortswords accidentally get disintegrated. Especially your favorite one twixt your legs."