Arundel relays this to the group. "Any idea what a Sky's Chosen is? Or other suggestions about what to ask, as long as we have some form of parley going on here?"
Tribim looks from Arundel to the armor, shaking his head, "Sky Chosen? I have no idea. So do we know who put theses guardians here?"
He looked at the rest of the team, "We could send someone to get Zummabu while the rest of us wait here. He may want to see this for himself."
Amarekashu considered. "A wind elemental, maybe? We've seen other elementals in this place, after all."
I can bring your message to Master Zummabu, Master.
Namtar didn't like the idea of leaving the masters alone in this place, but it would be best for him to go to Dalath and try to get Master Zummabu's help.
Tribim rolls his eyes at Namtar, "we need to decide if we want to split the party or fight these wind guys, and stop calling me master."
Nudging Arundel, "Ask them who put them here, or who inturned this dead god. Maybe that will help us decide what to do."
Arundel nods at Trib, then turns back to the elementals.
Arundel nods at Trib, then turns back to the elementals.
** spoiler omitted **
"Nadramibu, the Twisting Boar of the East Wind, Spoke us."
Arundel relays this answer to the rest of the team, while mentally trying to place the name.
[ooc]+8 for religion/arcana, +9 for history
Arundel relays this answer to the rest of the team, while mentally trying to place the name.
[ooc]+8 for religion/arcana, +9 for history
[dice=Know]1d20
Arundel isn't sure of that particular name, but he recognizes the title. Of old, the heavens were ordered by many inferior spirits who worked to Gilgeam's dictates. But they grew weak and Gilgeam banished them, so now he rules the heavens alone. The Twisting Boar of the East Wind would be either that spirit or the wind itself -the theology is ambiguous- and probably in the second or third tier of beings beneath the god.
Tribim scratches his head looking at the other team members. "Nadramibu huh? So what do we do now? Any chance they could call this fellow and let us speak to him?"
Shrugging his shoulders "My concern is that it's a prison instead of a crypte, and we may release something when we open it. But if we leave others may get to it before we get back. Remeber that lady Tirra and her friends Abilsin and Kassu are still looking around."
"Either way, I think we will need to defeat these things if we're to pass. Or work out how to be Chosen of the wind..." Amarekashu looked at the others.
I don't know if we should go poking around here just yet. We may want to consult our good sponsor before we tinker with things of this magnitude.
Hey! Ask them if they're keeping him in or keeping others out.
Arundel nods, and translates Regin's question.
Arundel nods, and translates Regin's question.
** spoiler omitted **
"Yes."
I'm really not in the mood to tangle with the guardians of a dead god that may not be fully dead. I will if I have to, but that sounds like a recipe for lots of pain.
Arundel quivers a little at the simple answer. "I agree. Perhaps it is time to regroup with Zummabu..."
Amarekashu shrugged, unconcerned with either fighting or leaving.
Tribim nods his head in agreement With Regin Ald and Arundel, "We need more information That's fer sure. Then maybe we'll get a chance to deal with that slaver." He looks to his friend and smiles, "No offense Namtar."
Tribim nods his head in agreement With Regin Ald and Arundel, "We need more information That's fer sure. Then maybe we'll get a chance to deal with that slaver." He looks to his friend and smiles, "No offense Namtar."
Tribim nods his head in agreement With Regin Ald and Arundel, "We need more information That's fer sure. Then maybe we'll get a chance to deal with that slaver." He looks to his friend and smiles, "No offense Namtar."
"I'm not offended, Master. You can say what you want." Namtar gives Tribim an odd look, s though he's not sure why Namtar would be offended.
Tribim nods his head in agreement With Regin Ald and Arundel, "We need more information That's fer sure. Then maybe we'll get a chance to deal with that slaver." He looks to his friend and smiles, "No offense Namtar."
Zummabu's company make their way back to Dalath, where the evening's whippings have just finished up and the miserable slaves are left to tremble and crawl away from the posts. It appears that their education in Gilgeam's right to rule was as thorough as usual.
Zummabu receives them readily and waits to hear what they've found.
Making sure to collect the lamps and deny any others access to the tomb, and to collect the bones as promised, Amarekashu greeted Zummabu. "Greetings, Master Zummabu. We have discovered an ancient tomb. It is...different to what was expected. I do not understand the theology behind the place - one of the others can explain better than I on that - but apparently, it holds some kind of Demi-God from the time of the Old King. Two...things...guard the tomb, or perhaps prison, and will allow only the Sky's Chosen to pass. We are concerned about releasing whatever sleeps within, and seek council."
Practically every trap was live. I don't think anyone's been down there for ages. IF they have they were certainly careful to leave the place as they found it.
"The Sky's Chosen, you say? Then these guardians would yield for the right person...but I'm afraid they're all long dead. The Sky's Chosen were the servants of the Old King, said to be his breath itself which he breathed and breathed until he could breath no more. Only our Godking could pass them now, I imagine. Or perhaps one of his priests."
Tribim nods his head as Regin Ald and Amarekashu explains about the tomb or possible prison, when the finish the Halfling adds, "On a lesser scale of importance, we also found bits of information on several seals and Fresco's that spoke about the gods, specifically Enlil. Most modern theologians would consider what we saw and read as heresy."
"And thus, taking one one of the Priests of the Godking to this place may not be wise," Amarekashu noted wryly.
Is there any other kind? Regin asks sarcastically. I doubt Ishtar's priesthood counts in this case
Is there any other kind? Regin asks sarcastically. I doubt Ishtar's priesthood counts in this case
"I'm afraid I just don't know," Zummabu said, passing over the sarcasm. "Ancient theology is a...difficult subject to study."
"Because of the heresy," Amarekashu replied, nodding in understanding. "Our only other choices are to leave the tomb sealed, or to destroy the guards." The Draconic being considered for a moment. "Assuming we can."
It would be an understatement to say that I'd be hesitant to fight those things. Anything placed to guard a demigod is not something I want getting to kill me. However, the masters wish is my obligation. Recon says with a deferring bow to Zummabu.
It would be an understatement to say that I'd be hesitant to fight those things. Anything placed to guard a demigod is not something I want getting to kill me. However, the masters wish is my obligation. Recon says with a deferring bow to Zummabu.
"I would very much like to know what these spirits guard," Zummabu said. "But they sound dangerous indeed. A guardian that does not spring upon you at once shows confidence that it can dispatch you. Of course that may be arrogance or the work of ancient commands. It's very hard to say."
"They did not wish us to cross beyond a certain point," Amarekashu noted. "I am not sure if it is because they were to guard beyond it or could not pass it, but it might be useful to note."
Scratching his head, "They are air elementals, is there something we could use to dispel them, or destroy them quickly? I'm still concerned that they may be keeping this dead god dead. It would be unwise to free something or someone without knowing if it is good or evil."
Scratching his head, "They are air elementals, is there something we could use to dispel them, or destroy them quickly? I'm still concerned that they may be keeping this dead god dead. It would be unwise to free something or someone without knowing if it is good or evil."
"It's possible that some power of elemental earth may bring them to ground," Zummabu said. "It would be necessary to disrupt their transplanar connection. These spheres are naturally at war, but if it could be introduced to their bodies it may act as a poison. Or there may be some way to unravel the ancient Art that keeps them."
Tribim scratches his head. "Transplanar conection? Is there a scroll or something you could give us? Or would you want to go back with us?"
Looking at the others, "Once we do a little more research or something ta figure out if we want to ask them ta leave or not."
Tribim scratches his head. "Transplanar conection? Is there a scroll or something you could give us? Or would you want to go back with us?"
Looking at the others, "Once we do a little more research or something ta figure out if we want to ask them ta leave or not."
"I may have something..." Zummabu paused and lost himself for longer than seemed necessary in his many scrolls. Yes!"[/b] He handed over a scroll. "This may serve. Read this and discharge the Art with a touch. If they are bound together, it may dispatch both. If not..." he shrugged. "Either way, there's no doubt that the spirits would interpret this as an attack."
Tribim gives a smile, "That's great Master Zummabu, I'm sure it will be very affective."
His smile wans, as he looks at the others, "Um, guys, I can't read scrolls, do one of you want to use it?"
As they are leaving Tribim nods toward the sack containing the dead slave boys remains. "Shall we bury our friend and have a word with a certain slaver?"
"Possibly. I am not overly skilled with magical artifacts since I've never practiced." Amarekashu hoped he wasn't the best candidate...
I might be able to pull it off. Regin admits, though he's still clearly hesitant to do this thing.
Arundel, having stayed mostly quiet in the back while the others spoke, perks up at the offer of the scroll. "Let me take a look" he says, reaching out for it. Looking at it, he mutters a quick spell.
To Zummabu, he asks "Beyond magic, advise would also be helpful. Should we provoke these beings? Should we risk removing them from their post?"
Arundel, having stayed mostly quiet in the back while the others spoke, perks up at the offer of the scroll. "Let me take a look" he says, reaching out for it. Looking at it, he mutters a quick spell.
To Zummabu, he asks "Beyond magic, advise would also be helpful. Should we provoke these beings? Should we risk removing them from their post?"
"If you provoke them, they will surely defend themselves. But the endless winters they have known there... It's as likely as not that whatever they mean to keep in its tomb would not stir regardless."
Regin seems comforted by that response. Very well. Let's do this then.
"As you wish," Amarekashu added with a nod.
"As you wish," Amarekashu added with a nod.
As they are leaving Tribim nods toward the sack containing the dead slave boys remains. "Shall we bury our friend and have a word with a certain slaver?"