I imagine the cost of such a thing would be...much. Certainly something to consider but lets approach that which is in front of us now.
Amir dresses in fresh clothes and nods approvingly. I agree that it would be worth "treating ourselves" at some point however...
Once he is finished getting dressed Air looks at the others, Shall we?
Not being the most skilled socially, or really caring about social etiquette, Kzrira is wearing her usual clothes, although they were laundered and some of the holes were patched while she bathed.
Yes, might as well get this over with so that we can stumble into whatever is going to try to kills us all next.
Future plans give way to immediate needs and you follow Auroz and Neshari to the banquet hall where your host awaits. Now a half dozen male and two female servers dressed alike in maroon tunics and turbans and loose black pants bring out plates of every dish that you could want. Beer and wine are plentiful and Arouz and Neshari are joined by two more women and another man to dance and sing to a ghostly accompaniment along with other entertainments.
Finally, you take your fill and Dilix invites you to a more comfortable chamber where you can talk while the servers clear the table. You are offered tobacco or pesh or spiced wine as a digestif as you recline and your host takes your questions.
Karethas enjoys the tobacco while reclined in a comfortable position. He asks after the host and their life in the Pleasure Palace of Nex to break the ice before getting down to business. "As strange as it seems, we did not end up in the realm intentionally, but rather were drawn into it, like a fly to a trap. We used the scroll of Kakashion to enter here, but now are unsure of a way back to our own realm."
Dilix nods, "Yes, Andrathi is to blame for corrupting the scroll and trapping the efreet here, but you have come here and there may be hope now of reopening our wondrous world."
Kzrira, getting more and more antsy by the moment that the party is with these strange people, decides to see if she can add anything to the discussion.
You are saying that Andrathi corrupted the scroll? My understanding was that Andrathi was trapped here. So, do you mean that Andrathi trapped himself? And if he did, where is he now? Here somewhere? Dead?
Diplomacy: <--apparently having a bath and cleaning your clothes does help
"Why, yes! He is solely to blame for turning our palace into a prison" the majordomo says heatedly. "But he paid a great price for his insolence. He had not mastered the scroll and underestimated its power. When he stole into Jhavhul's camp and tore open the portal, he was caught in the vortex as well!"
"He avoided Jhavhul for some time before the efreeti finally found and killed him."
Bad for Andrathi...but now we are here in his stead and we can only assume that the efreeti are where we were. What is it that we might do that they could not on this side of the scroll's power? Amir sips at his wine nodding at its flavor, there is not hostility to his question but he does not mask his doubtful tone.
Varkata accepts the spiced wine with pleasure, taking a careful sip and enjoying the heavy taste before opening her eyes as the questions begin. Back to business... Let's get home where there's real ale.... and a number of enraged efreet...
She asks, "Reopening the world? Was there a stable path between them before?"
"The way in remains open for those who hold and understand the Scroll, but Andrathi made it a one-way portal. Before, you had only to walk to the end of a pier and wish yourself out. Now... even Andrathi could not escape his trap."
"There is a chance though. On the island of Khandelwal, there is a shaitan, an earth genie, named Obherak. He is ambitious and cruel. Once he served in this palace, but his fear of Jhavhul was greater than his ambition. Now that the efreet are gone, he will try and take back the palace to make himself a tyrant king."
"I believe he holds an artifact from the time when Nex first bound the wild beings that created this place. He would never allow anyone to use it, but if he were killed and the artifact recovered, I could use it to help you escape."
Kzrira looks toward Karethas:
A shaitan? Do we have the tools to defeat such a creature?
Karethas strikes his familiar pose, his fingers stroking his goatee while he stares off thoughtfully, "Shaitan are clever and vain creatures. If he is a Pasha then he will be well beyond our capabilities to challenge. Otherwise, we could prevail in a direct challenge. Perhaps we could figure out a way to get the artifact from him without a fight?"
Dilix nods smiling. "I see that you know something of geniekind. No, Oberakh is not a pasha. No pasha would deign serve a mortal even a mortal risen to such power as the great Nex."
"Nevertheless, he is arrogant and will not relinquish the artifact to anyone that he counts a future subject. He is powerful, but you have defeated the Golden Ram! Still, there is one that could provide you with even more powerful weapons. There is a smith on the island of the Black Spire whose skill is legendary. He might forge you a wondrous weapon for a worthy gift in exchange. It is rumored that he covets shards from the Black Spire itself to try on his forge."
Kzrira looks more and more confused by the minute:
Smith on a Black Spire? But needs shards from the Black Spire? Why can't this legendary smith get his own shards? Or how would we get it?
Varkata says, "So, to be clear, all we need to do is defeat a Shaitan, but first, we have epic weapons forged by a master smith who wishes to use the island itself to craft them?"
She raises her glass and takes another drink, "I think I'm still too sober for this conversation."
Dillix repeats to make herself clear. " I do not see that Obherak will be a challenge for you, but if you have the doubts that you expressed, then perhaps Artel Norrin, a great smith that served Nex himself would forge you a weapon. He spends all his time forging, melting down and reforging legendary weapons to try his skill. I suspect he has little interest in traveling to the Spire though it is not far from the volcano where he toils.
I am merely repeating what I have heard about the strange material of the Spire. It was used by Nex himself to destroy a plane devouring monster sent against by his enemies. It is unique and might prove novel to the master smith and put him in a cooperative mood. He can be difficult to deal with though his skill is undeniable."
"I think visiting the smith is worth a try. It is not an opportunity we are likely to get again. Is there anything special we will have to do to get the material of the spire? Seems like there must be a greater challenge to it, or others would have already given the smith as much material as he would care to have."
Varkata nods, "If it were easy, Karethas, they wouldn't need us to do it. Still, I agree it's worth doing... if only so we can turn those weapons against the efreet."
Kzrira scratches her head:
Is there anything that we need to know about the spire? What do we need to get there? Are there any threats that you know of?
"This is only hearsay, Dilix disclaims, "but the Island of Khosravi was where Nex tested his war machines. There are still things there that might prove dangerous. The Spire itself is said be made of some strange element that quells magic. Nex used the top of the Black Spire to entreat with enemy wizards and not have to fear magical treachery. I have heard that crystals found at the top have properties of use to the smith.
Dilix shrugs, " There is no necessity in going there, but if you can impress the master smith, it could certainly be worth the trip.
Karethas sighs, "Yet another place where I can't use my magic."
Kzrira looks over at the curmudgeon mage and laughs:
And so is the reason that we all must seek to broaden our horizons, if ever so slightly. You are smart. If your magic is not of use, then think of something else. Think of ways to set traps that might drop boulders on our enemies. Think of tactics. Think of coercion or persuasion. There are many tools other than magic that I am sure you are skilled with. You have just spent too many years relying upon the crutch that is magic.
"Indeed, that is how Nex defeated the nigh unstoppable monster, he dropped the Black Spire upon it. Dilix adds encouragingly.
Karethas smirks at Kzrira's admonishment to "broaden his horizon", the irony thick in the air. "Yes, I suppose I am close minded and should try other methods of problem solving. Perhaps I should get a bow, as arrows seem to work for you on all occasions." He turns back to Dilix, "One has to wonder how Nex was able to drop the Spire on the monster without using magic though."
Kzrira suddenly cracks up:
I guess he caused that monster to ex-Spire.
Well I for one think that if we are here we might as well take full advantage of all Nex did here. If we have to return we might as well return with as many bounties as we can...
Amir pulls at his moustache as he thinks, What about summoned creatures? Is it the case you can call other beings here and if so perhaps that is what we take into the tower with us?
Varkata chuckles at Karethas' statement, then quickly groans at Kzrira's joke, finally shrugging, "It's possible that Nex had magics strong enough to overcome the limit... Or, maybe he used his magic to bind a creature strong enough to hurl the spire... after all, if he made this place, I imagine he was somewhat less restricted by it."
She sighs, then at her empty glass wistfully, "Maybe a few more drinks would help broaden everyone's mind and help us come up with a better plan? I'd really like to get back to a place where there's ale to be had..."
She quickly turns to Dilix, adding, "No offense intended, you've been most hospitable."
Dilix shakes her head at Amir's question. "I am no wizard, but all the elementals that you see here were bound long before Andrathi sundered Kakishon from the rest of the cosmos. No summoning will work. Your arrival and the efreet's departure is the only time the trap has been breached to my knowledge."
"I will leave you to your pleasures now. I apologize for the poor quality of our spirits, but do try to enjoy yourselves. Do not tarry too long however, for Obherak will certainly not be long in his attack on the palace.
Amir rises and bows to their host as he makes an exit, sitting and turning back to his companions...
The idea of better weapons and potential treasures from the tower of Nix seems too good to pass up both to confront this shaitan and for what could come after our return home but I am worried that Karethas will be at risk, what can we do to minimize that issue?
Kzrira nods in agreement with Amir's observation:
True. We know that his usual summoning abilities do not seem to function here. Perhaps he should focus on other spells. Especially anything that might be beneficial with a long duration that could be cast before we approach the spire.
"Abjuration spells are...a challenge...for me, but I will do what I can. If I am unable to cast spells, then I will stay back in combat situations. Otherwise, we should just go tomorrow, as it seems that there is little else we can do to prepare."
Varkata says, "Perhaps a touch of divination could give us hints of how to prepare? If Karethas' magic won't work, I imagine mine won't either, which would make healing a challenge. "
Auroz and Neshari accompany you back to your suite and image it clear that they or any other pleasure servant is available for whatever Other services you require that evening.
Amir will take advantage of a massage and oil bath but will clearly refute any "extra" services. Otherwise he sleeps and rises to prepare for their journey to the tower.
As the group prepares to head back to their rooms, Varkata asks again, "Would we not benefit from some divinations? Perhaps I should seek some divine guidance tomorrow, especially if my magic won't otherwise be useful?"
Varkata thanks the servants at the door, then enters her room alone. While I appreciate the thought of relieving some stress, I'd prefer it not be someone's job to do so... Still, this is likely better than that lout in the tavern the night I met this group.., she chuckles at the memory, then, once she feels safe that she won't be interrupted by her hosts, draws her aleskin and takes a pull, savoring the the heady, hoppy flavour to wash over her, despite the warmth and flatness. I'm sure, Hero, that you're laughing at me if you've been paying attention.... but, really, any help you could give me... give us... would be most appreciated.
Kzrira will also retire for the evening and attempt to enjoy the comfortable bed, something that she has not had the luxury of in many moons.
Karethas gives Neshari a subtle nod and enters his room leaving the door open.
Karethas wakes early and turns to the staff leaning against the wall next to his bed. He touches it softly and nods, "I have heard you." He rises and prepares himself for the day. When the others are up he says to them. "I may have a plan for the spire, but we will need to get there first so I can witness it's effects first hand."
Amir awakens warily, troubled by his dreams and doing his best to repeat to himself the details of what he has seen. As he prepares to leave the older man is short in his tone and quick in his efforts. Yes away to this tower would be best...to plan... The rogue makes it plain he wants to talk more but not here in this strange place his distrust replacing whatever comfort he had found the night before...
As if on cue, Auroz and Neshari show up with fruit and sweet pastry for your breakfast. They ask what your pleasure will be this day.
Kzrira wakes from what might at best be called an unsettled night of sleep. The bed was too soft and being in such a strange place left her unable to sleep for more than a short period at a time. After grabbing her gear, she heads down to eat a warm, albeit overdone, meal.
While eating, she looks to the others:
Did anyone have a strange dream? I saw myself and Varkata in some strange forest. There was a mausoleum with bronze doors and some type of human silhouette. There was also a cat, a great cat. It lead me to the doors, and then started an odd mournful yowling.