Arriving back at base camp, Merelinda looks thoroughly annoyed as she finds the circus is up and in full swing. "Bayani and I found Klorak. We might have found him under better circumstances if you hadn't been trying to force entry to this place."
She glares at Ivar, "I swear, man, have you ever met a portal or stone that you didn't want to bust into pieces?" She turns to the 'tengu'. "So what exactly is down there, anyway?" She puts her hands on her hips, noble upbringing coming to the fore. It might have been worded as a question...but it had 'demand' stamped all over it.
Hearing Merelinda’s voice
ha that didn’t take long, use an elf for a man’s job…better circumstances… force entry
Ivar turns just in time to see Merelinda, Bayani and a Tengu, and that Merelinda is glaring at him, he hides the club behind him and begins to answer
Ummm…
Realizing her question was rhetorical, and she has now focused all of her withering glare on the Tengu; he shoulders his club, as insubordinately as possible, and manfully strides near enough to hear the Tengu answer.
Klorak cocks his head to the side. I don't know what the monkeys have told you. But I can tell you the story with a bit less myth attached...About 4 thousand years ago, what can only be described as "a traveler" appeared in these lands. He brought some semblance of low level reason and society to the apes of this Island. At the time we Awkmute Tengu were masters of this Island. But we retreated into obscurity at the rise of this "Travelers" new empire. When the Traveler died he was buried here. The Awkmutes agreed to fashion this door over the Travelers private palace... he gestures toward the structure built into the foot of the volcanic foothills.
Zamoozi grunts and replies: Awkmutes good only as potion makers. He not know what in there. No one know. Magic ring more likely!
"So, wait, you said this could jolt the planets from their orbits. How is just a tomb of a magic user that powerful?" Bayani asks with a frown. He seems rather grumpy.
Klorak: Just a magic user? Friend, I think you are underestimating the situation. I recommend leaving this place alone.
As he says this Zamoozi walks to the door and begins to push with all his might. Go away, crow!
Ivar shrugs, glad that Merelinda forgot she was yelling at him, and goes and helps Zamoozi,
Well Zamoozi you helped us at the ziggurat, we’ll help you here
Klorak the Awkmute Tengu: Stop. Don't do that.
Ivar stops and looks at the Tengu a little suspect
How are we going to get in if we don't push it over? If you know an easier or fast way let us know.
I would just as soon push it open, I start banging on it with a club somebody will say something
"I can't remember reading of any time, in any story, in which opening a tomb in a jungle that the natives strongly advise against opening didn't have good results. I say go for it."
Ivar smiles at Bayani's quip, then adds
and Tengu's are never dishonest or self serving
looking at "the Crow"
Merelinda scowls along with the elf as Bayani confirms this might not be the catastrophic event that Klorak interrupted their merry-making for. Instead of just mulishly ignoring the awkmute, she crosses her arms, brow arched.
"According to your tale, the Traveler brought low-level reason to the apes. Why was that so bad? What's wrong with opening the tomb?"
Klorak: The only thing wrong with opening the tomb is this... Klorak begins to cast a spell.
Merelinda sighs in exasperation, getting ready for whatever the hell is going on.
Ivar flinches and ducks
Bird-sir it is very dastardly of you to go yammerink on about somethink vithout properly explainink yourself zen just castink spells villy nilly.
Albrecht says while preparing to do something.
The treasure in that tomb is mine! I have been trying to open that door for decades! It's mine I tell you!
Zamoozi raises his obsidion club
Ivar
Bayani
Merelinda
Tusara
Albrecht
Monsters
Quickly stepping toward the awkmute/tengu/coitus-interrupting-bastard, Merelinda smiles, reaching forward to touch Klorak before he can finish his spell.
Ivar moves toward the bird attacking
good idea Merelinda, you hold him while I bust him into pieces
"Hold! Klorak, you seem to be quite the spellcaster yourself. Is it not wiser, if you have never been able to open the tomb, to work with us to try to open it and share the treasure? Surely some treasure in your possession is better than all the treasure buried in a sealed tomb -- a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush? Ah, if you'll excuse the metaphor."
Whether he lives or dies, I want a look at his spellbook! Bayani thinks to himself.
Tusara frowns on seeing how aggressive the mage is in response to this tomb, but reacts quickly upon sensing the spell being cast. Reacting quickly, she moves forward before blasting the creature with a Color Spray, aiming the burst of color in such a direction so as to avoid hitting Ivar.
Merelinda touches the crow wizard. As she does the vision of a beautiful women in a bumble bee suit appears before his eyes. He fumbles a bit. that's when Ivaaars axe hits him! But he doesn't let his beak break daddyo! He keeps casting his spell.
But as Bayani exhorts him, the bird seems to think twice. You would help me inside? How do I know you would not simply steal the one thing in there that I seek?
that's when Tusara color sprays him.
Albrect still has round 1 actions. Unless Tusara knocks the crow out. then end combat.
Covering his eyes Klorak staggers. Tricky! You have a sorceress and a priestess in your group! Kaww kaaaw!
Assuming unconscious Klorak: So uhh crazy bird-man vants inside zee tomb too? I guess zere must be somethink good inside zen. I doubt he vould vant inside for a ring zat is special because it is not magic Albrecht looks sideways at Zamoozi and his storys of not-loot.
Merelinda grabs her silk rope from her pack, efficiently tying the awkmutes hands (talons?) and feet together. From her quick knots and practiced demeanor, you get the feeling this isn't the first time she has tied someone up.
Ivar dropping the club, attempts to grab the Tengu and hold him so Merelinda can tie him
hold on there beak boy your not going anywhere
Ivar dropping the club, attempts to grab the Tengu and hold him so Merelinda can tie him
hold on there beak boy your not going anywhere
Kaw Kaw I'm blind I'm blind! I can't see!
Ivar
Bayani
Merelinda
Tusara
Albrecht
Monsters
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Beware! The crow lies about being blind!
Seeing the large Ulfen man attempt to subdue Klorak, Merelinda will attempt to help, trying to catch and arm or a leg and hold it steady.
I'll wait to see if he is actually stunned before I decide whether to cast another spell.
Realizing the gig is up on the "being blind" bit, the bird man attempts to resist being tied up but the color spray has completely ransacked his nerves. In no time ivar has sinched and gagged him. Hopelessly defeated, the Tengu sits still. Tears begin to well up in his eyes...
Greater Invisibility is a Standard Action, but he chose to cast it as a full round action which contributed to this. Also, he got unlucky with his save, and prefered to open the combat with a non aggressive spell. If he had been like, an Admixture Wizard he could have cast an Intensified Fireball and pretty much wiped us out. Also Action Economy > CR. With the kid gloves off, we would have had no chance, but we got very lucky lol.
Merelinda, the picture of feminine pisstivity, stands over the bird-man, scowling. "What the hell was all that about!? What's down there that has you so flustered! And no I don't want to hear Zamoozi's spin on it, Ivar!" She addresses this last, of course, to the Ulfen, whose predictable rock-pounding had supposedly started this course of events.
Ivar shrugs his shoulders, then looking from Merelinda to Zamoozi then to Klorak
no offense Zamoozi but I'll let the Tengu have his choice, as long as its reasonable and not a boat; heck he can even have the boat as long as he drops us off someplace
he then goes and puts on his breastplate and picks up his axe and shield just in case.
Merelinda's brow furrows...the woman is thoroughly confused. "His choice!? He interrupted my divine duties earlier, attacked without provocation just now, sits here at our mercy, and you deign to say he gets his choice!?" She turns her attention to the bird-man. She deftly removes any pouches on him, realizing his more potent spells likely require reagents to make them function properly.
"He has but one choice at the moment...answer our questions."
interrupted divine duties... ah, no wonder she's upset, here I thought it was me and Zamoozi banging on the door, which apparently was the only bagging that happened
Ivar goes over to Bayani and nudges him with an elbow trying not to interrupt Merlinda's interrogation
I said reasonable didn't I, Not very often I get to be the "nice guy" or whack someone on their beak and they get blamed for attacking, I think I like this.
Albrecht looks dubiously at Merelinda.
Right, divine duties. Albrecht goes into good gnome mode.
So friend friend you must very determined to get vat is in zis tomb. Now zee talk folk aren't going to just let you go, so vat do you say help us out?
Ivar smiles at the tengu and nods politely as Captain Albrecht speeks
Bayani nods at Ivar, still looking at the tengu wizard with annoyance."Be very careful when you search him. He may have tricks up his sleeves. Don't open any books, unroll any scrolls, or stick your hands inside any bags or containers until we've had a chance to examine them magically."
Diplomacy seems far fetched while you are rummaging through his stuff. Neverthless, having his spell components removed, Klorak seems to be willing to discuss matters.
Come now, friends, you can't blame me for being protective of a life long pursuit! You see, I have been able to enter this tomb, but it is laden with traps and while I have been lucky to survive me previous excursions inside, I've yet to find "The Traveler". I do know, from my research, however, that the secret to his traveling is inside. As Ivar rummages through his stuff Klorak looks a bit concerned. I am a proud bird, but I am not so proud as to reject allies, should any allies present a reasonable bargain.
3x scrolls;
1x small wooden box that makes cricket sounds
spell components
some nasty smelling mushrooms that smell nasty. Very nasty.
A small money bad tied shut by a silver chord.
A dagger with a ruby pommel.