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Torvi moves over to the pit with Garn, ready to kill the creature when the pit dissolves into primordial nothingness.
"The motivations to blot out the sun are untelligable to me." Dasur comments as he approaches the machine with Erebos. "The only allure of the surface is the light and energy of our star. Here in the deep is the security of the stone the three dimensional spaces in which one may build and know intimately. There are seas and life and wealth here in abundance. The surface, without light, would merely be a vast open plain of nothing, for plants cannot survive without light and animals cannot survive without plants. I am curious, Erebos... would you rather be in a cavern, unable to see its end but know it has an end, or be in unlimited darkness, stretching forever in all directions that merely loops back in on itself?"
Philosophical questions aside, the wizard turns to the task at hand. "We must learn more about this machine if we are to disable it, though I am open to the idea of channeling the negative energy stored within to another task. Let us speak with one that knows."
His voice then rises, echoing about the agricultural cavern. "Arcanant! Appear at my side!" Dasur surmises the construct that had introduced itself when they entered the cavern must still be around, watching. "Tell me the nature of this device. Where and how does it draw its energy? CAn the process be reversed to bleed it back to its source, or will the negative energy within need to be annilihated with an equal measure of positive energy?"
As the battle finishes before Gunnar has a chance to act further, it soon devolves in discussions of a grander nature. For the moment, Gunnar cares little for that. Instead, he moves towards the pit where the last of the foes may lay in wait.
Despite the victory, the revenge, and the new King being crowned, he feels empty and alone.
Noticing the newest addition to their group walk off alone, Snorri looks upon his fellow dwarf inquisitively. Sheathing his axe for the moment, he takes a moment and makes his way over to him. "Something troubling you, Oathminder? I ask because you appear somewhat preoccupied. Forgive me if I jump to conclusions."
Having dispatched the remaining deep one, Torvi turns to the academic question at hand.
Torvi will examine the device, and see about trying to answer the questions put forth by Dasur. She can use her ancestral communion spell again, for a +6 on her knowledge checks, and if there is one particular question Dasur wants answered, she can Take 20 on it with her Loremaster ability. With a little guidance from anyone that has it prepared, or an INT boost, or other shenanigans, she can be hitting a knowledge check in the 40 range, depending on the appropriate skill.
Does anyone know any other spells to help with knowledge checks? Spell Kenning can be used for that.
As Dasur surmises, the Arcanant is watching, and it shimmers into a visible presence. "Forgive me, Son of Tharnhammer. The invaders were interfering with my directives, forcing me to lead you astray. Now that my source is no longer under their influence, I can speak with you more freely. This device is of no dwarven design, though it is built into and upon dwarven systems of transferring light, corrupting them into the transmission of darkness. This chamber was build using magic mirrors that channel the sun's light to nourish the crops that were grown here. The Enemies twisted those same magics to project darkness, planning to blanket the surface with eternal darkness. The City was overrun with black fire, but now that force is concentrated here within this machine. The energy within is not simple magical energy, but a living malevolence. If you seek to destroy it, you will need to release it. But take this action seriously. The Black fire is no laughing matter."
"I don't suppose you know any ways of actually releasing it? I mean, can we slowly leak it off over a century? Can we drain it into a volcano? Or a river? Or into a dark elf kingdom?"
Dasur seems relieved when the construct appears to be much more cooperative than before. "This is good. There is much to learn from this construct, and if it is free from the Black Flame as it claims, we should heed its words."
He listens carefully, turning to stare up at the monolith of dark energy before them. "So this is the physical vessel of the black flame's manifestation, as I had earlier theorized." An idle hand strokes his greasy, single-braided beard. "Tell me, Arcanant. Does this structure, and the willed energy within, have the ability to activate of its own accord? If so, do you have an estimate on the time frame until activation?"
Torvi's inquiries inspire some of his own. "Indeed, if we could reverse the magic of this chamber to its original state, to once again channel the light of the sun, should it not weaken and eventually kill the Black Flame within? Otherwise, it may behoove us to simply trap it within this device indefinnitely rather than risk releasing it."
"Something troubling you, Oathminder? I ask because you appear somewhat preoccupied. Forgive me if I jump to conclusions."
Gunnar sighs. The smart ones are discussing details and specifics that are beyond his comprehension, and he takes a moment to answer his liege lord.
"I awoke to my world being broken, milord. I am now a widower, and a relic of a country begone. I hoped that Dranngvit's vengeance may fill the void in my heart, but faded rage left me with so little. What my place will be in the future, I know little of, and I would lie if I said that seeking a warrior's death holds no attractive to me. Thou will need builders for this city, and mine are killer's hands."A few tears escape his eyes and fall into his beard.
"My wife was the one who should have survived. She was Heartkindler, a maker of society, a weaver of magic, a mender of souls. She would have helped you in bringing back Dammerhall. Instead she gave her life to save mine."
Once the last foe is defeated, Garnet briefly joins the conversation saying, "I am no great scholar, but I have seen how light cancels dark and vice versa. What of the powerful being of light and heat from the throne room antechamber? Could he or the machine to which he is tethered provide some counterbalance to this blackfire darkness?"
"Something troubling you, Oathminder? I ask because you appear somewhat preoccupied. Forgive me if I jump to conclusions."Gunnar sighs. The smart ones are discussing details and specifics that are beyond his comprehension, and he takes a moment to answer his liege lord.
"I awoke to my world being broken, milord. I am now a widower, and a relic of a country begone. I hoped that Dranngvit's vengeance may fill the void in my heart, but faded rage left me with so little. What my place will be in the future, I know little of, and I would lie if I said that seeking a warrior's death holds no attractive to me. Thou will need builders for this city, and mine are killer's hands."
A few tears escape his eyes and fall into his beard.
"My wife was the one who should have survived. She was Heartkindler, a maker of society, a weaver of magic, a mender of souls. She would have helped you in bringing back Dammerhall. Instead she gave her life to save mine."
Giving the warrior dwarf a reassuring grin as he rests a comforting hand upon his shoulder, "Then honor her memory by representing her the way you know she would want you too, Oathminder," he suggests steadfastly, giving him a firm pat. "I believe nothing else would make her more proud, and in turn, bring you an internal level of peace. And you WILL find your place, my friend. I promise you that. Truthfully, that is a journey we all simply hope to take because you know as well as I, nothing in this life is guaranteed. As long as we live and breathe, let us strive each day and accept whatever the day offers us; and within that, we shall find our place. Isn't that what living is all about?" he asks, as he removes his hand from his shoulder and crosses his arms. "I firmly believe you are here for a reason, Oathminder. Only Torag knows for what purpose. Embrace it, my friend. And know this: When the time comes for your final journey from this realm, know that she will be waiting for you in a far, far better one. And I've no doubt that you will have represented her honorably," he says matter of factly, giving him a nod of confidence while grinning as he turns and returns to the others, leaving the bolt ace to his thoughts.
Making his way back to the others, "I could not help but overhear a bit of what was spoken. Any solutions as of yet?"
A thorough investigation of the machine reveals that your previous suspicions were correct: the machine in the smaller room was a model for this one, a miniature, possibly a testbed. While that smaller machine is powerful and designed to dim the power of the bound sun creature, this one contains vastly more dark energy, and with the larger machine and the dwarven magics here, this system could blot out the sun over vast areas of the surface. Anyone who controlled this power could truly sit on a Throne of Night...
"Well, we can't have that."
"No solutions, but a wide array of options." Dasur responds to Snorri's inquiries after analyzing the machine's aura and outer workings. "I propose we free the Sun Keeper trapped in the former head magician's chambers, then study the device that was suppressing its energy. I believe I have the needed spells to unshackle the outsider within being vaporized in turn, or to allow one to speak with it before it leaves this plane if someone wishes to volunteer to interrogate it or briefly enlist its services. However, I suspect this creature will say anything to be freed, and will simply shift planes the moment it is unbound."
Breathlessly, the wizard changes topics. "We do know if this "throne of night" device can self-activate, or how much time we have if it can. Yet I would suggest we all rest after the Sun Keeper has been freed, so we may prepare for the possible confrontation with the Black Flame and study the prototype device."
Gunnar nods at the comforting words of the King, then moves towards the others.
"I know little of magics and dwimmer. But should anything require doing, I volunteer my body and mind."
"No solutions, but a wide array of options." Dasur responds to Snorri's inquiries after analyzing the machine's aura and outer workings. "I propose we free the Sun Keeper trapped in the former head magician's chambers, then study the device that was suppressing its energy. I believe I have the needed spells to unshackle the outsider within being vaporized in turn, or to allow one to speak with it before it leaves this plane if someone wishes to volunteer to interrogate it or briefly enlist its services. However, I suspect this creature will say anything to be freed, and will simply shift planes the moment it is unbound."
Breathlessly, the wizard changes topics. "We do know if this "throne of night" device can self-activate, or how much time we have if it can. Yet I would suggest we all rest after the Sun Keeper has been freed, so we may prepare for the possible confrontation with the Black Flame and study the prototype device."
"Agreed. Once you have freed it, I shall attempt to parlay with it, but I will need your magic, Dasur, to speak its tongue. Outside of that, if there is nothing else, let us proceed as planned."
"All I ask is that you let me be by your side, my King," says Garnet, ready to brave the light or the dark in the service of her liege.
"Unfortunately, you would not survive long in the Sun Keeper's aura if it were freed first, or even be able to speak in its presence. The heat and wind we experienced before are but a fraction of its power, held in check by the prototype device. It must remain bound for now." Dasur informs the king, which he does not wish to see reduced to a crisp. As second in line to sovereignty to Dammerhall, the throne is not something the wizard is particually excited to inherent.
To enter the room or move toward the magic circle (marked on the map) requires a DC 10 Strength check for medium creatures due to the windstorm level winds.
It will come as no surprise that all of this glows a lot if you are looking with detect magic. Being in the outer room you take 2d6 fire damage per round. In the inner room you take 4d6 fire damage per round.
With no dissenters on the plan to study the prototype, Dasur makes his way back to the throne room.
The heat and light from the western chamber is still evident in the otherwise cold, dark, and dead throne room, though the fountain does look rather refreshing.
The wizard casts a pair of spells where the heat is not so great, first summoning an invisible figure of force that will be sacrificed to break the binding circle of the Sun Keeper, and then a spell that will give brief proection from its overwhelming flames.
After warding his king against the flames in the following room, he cautions: "Snorri, this creature has suffered for a century or more. The very air here is to it as if you were left outside in a blizzard naked. It will want to leave this plane immediately. But perhaps you can convince it to stay long enough to take revenge on its captor, to nullify some or all of the negative energy found in yonder obelisk holding the Black Flame. Regardless of what it says, we must release it so we may study the device sapping its energy."
"I will send my Servant to break the circle when you are finished speaking with it." Though he waits outside the room for now, he points his staff at the nearby fountain. "However, the power of this being is so intense, that once it is freed I suggest we all take shelter in the waters of the fountain should it decide to pass through this room to attack the obelisk of the Black Flame. My magic would only hold for seconds against such power, but the Water can absorb much heat."
A sad look is cast upon the Throne of Dammerhall. "One can hope the throne does not melt in such a scenario, but I have faith in our ancestors craftdwarfship."
"All I ask is that you let me be by your side, my King," says Garnet, ready to brave the light or the dark in the service of her liege.
Turning to the warrior, Snorri possesses a slight grin as he gives her an accepting nod.
"Not to fear, cousin, we shall prevail... whatever it takes." Heading back to where the sun creature is, Snorri keeps his distance just outside the door. He then yells in his native tongue so as to be heard. "Sun creature! I have come to parlay and find a way to free you! We are NOT your enemy! Having said that, I've a question for you! Once you are free, what becomes of us who are nearby?! What type of danger does that place upon us all?! While my goal is to free you and I shall not waver from that, I also possess the desire NOT to obliterate the rest of my team! But regardless of your response, we will still find a way to set you free, this I vow!"
The Sun Keeper shudders as it turns its fiery gaze to Snorri. Despite the protection from fire, Snorri can feel the heat of the being's gaze. Only like the sun on your face on a warm spring day, but the danger is clear enough. "My place in this realm is far from your place. To stand in my presence is to face the might of a fire that would consume your entire world, much less your frail figure. FREE ME and I will depart with all haste, causing you as little harm as I might."
Snorri looks through narrowed eyes at the blazing being as if studying him. Eventually nodding, "Very well! And for the record, the entity that bound you resides here still, I am certain! If you wish to avenge your imprisonment... well... that is something you must determine for yourself!" He then looks to Dasur and gives him a 'go' nod to release the sun creature and readies to prepare for the worst.
”May the gods bless this endeavor!”
Dasur had been looking through his bag for something while SNorri was speaking to the Sun Keeper. Eventually, he produces a worn steel paring knife, and he is looking at its edge when Snorri gives him the signal to begin.
The wizard looks to his left, which is seemingly empty space, and extends the knife handle first to seemingly nothing. "Take this." He commands, and as his hand falls the knife appears to float in the air. "Follow me."
The knife floats with uneering steadiness as he enters the hot and bright room next to the Sun Keeper's prison. Squinting against the blazing light, Dasur points at the circle on the floor. "Scrape the binding circle with the knife and collect the dust in a pile."
With the command issued to his Unseen Servant, Dasur promptly turns and fast walks his way back into the throne room. "I suggest taking cover if the Sun Keeper heads this way. I do not intend to watch and find out." And, following his own advice, walks straight into the fountain with an unceremonious splash.
He sinks to the bottom and seems perfectly content to lay there face-up , covered in a shimmering field of fresh air.
Nodding, "All! Into the fountain!" Snorri will wait for everyone to enter before he enters last.
Garnet jumps into the fountain, easily sinking to the bottom in her heavy armor.
Torvi follows orders, takes a deep breath and enters the fountain.
The invisible servant wields the small blade to carry out Dasur's orders. All of you run for the fountain, plunging into its depths. The water closes around you as a burst of light, impossibly bright, fills the room around you.
The walls, floor, and even ceiling glow red and begin to flow. The ceiling drips great gobs of molten stone, glowing white and hissing as it falls into the water above you. It cools almost immediately, but warms the water around you noticeably. The the light is blotted out as something covers the fountain. Some of the water boils away, but enough remains to protect you.
Still, you are trapped in water beneath a rapidly cooling cap of lava.
Dasur peacefully watches the situation above unfold from the bottom of the fountain, sheathed in a skin-tight shimmering bubble of air, His multi-faceted mind amuses itself by attempting to calculate the survival chances of Dammerhall's sacred throne.
He begins to grow concerned when the ceiling starts to melt. "Interesting. Either the Sun Keeper's aura is far more powerful than I anticipated when it passed through this room, or it lingered aboved." The wizard says, his voice distorted but intelligible.
THen, the fountain goes dark, and he can only see the glowing stone above them and the black-and-white outlines of his companions in his darkvision. "That is most troublesome." He says with a measure of surprise. "Unfortunately I have expended all of my magic for the day. I am afraid you will have to cut your way through before you all suffer from asphyxiation."
Standing up in the hot water, Garnet takes the cooling rock as a sign that the being of fire has moved on. She wedges her Dwarven Longhammer between the base of the fountain and the cooling rock above, attempting to either break through or at least bend the rock up before it solidifies so there is room to breathe underneath.
(add another 9 if CMB applies)
Garnet's hammer plunges into the cooling stone, lodging firmly within.
Snorri grabs the mighty greataxe of Dammerhall and swings as hard as he can at the seal that very well may doom them all.
Snorri's axe bites into the cooling stone, but the water slows his swings. Chunks of stone break away and sink into the fountain.
Snorri continues his assault against their
Torvi will attack the rock covering…
"This is ludicrous," says Glenda. "Surely there's a secret door somewhere. It's not like this place would be made with no exits by our ancestors."
You continue chopping and smashing at the freshly formed ceiling above you, not quite drowning but certainly not thriving. Snorri chops, Torvi slams, Garnet pushes. Rock falls away, floating slowly toward the bottom of the pool. Finally, as Torvi (somewhat limply) smashes a sphere into the crumbling lava rock, her Dorn Dergar stays aloft. Then she feels a pull and feels herself being lifted from the water.
I have no doubt that she is disappointed to see the slender elfen hands of Erebos pulling at the chain, the child sized hands of the deep gnome guide beside them.
As you emerge from your watery near tomb, you find that the light of the surface world pours down around you. As Dasur feared, the throne room is even more ruined than before, with cooling rock covering the floor, the throne, the fountain, blocking doorways.
A cylindrical shaft 20 feet in diameter has been melted upward, apparently all the way to the surface.
Making his way out of the pool, Snorri looks all around to see what has transpired from the Sun creature's departure as a puddle of water forms all around him from the dripping. He then looks up and squints until his eyes adjust properly to the light. "I must confess: The light from above is pleasant. It's quite... 'fitting', if you will," he decides, grinning. "What we could easily conclude as the destruction of Dammerhall, we should truly look at it as the beginning of new day. I know I do," he says proudly, still smiling.
”Any injuries?”
After first looking at the pillar of sunlight in shock, Garnet admits with a smile, ”Well, it is quite a grand skylight, for sure.”
”We’ll fix it all up again and make it pretty.”
Dasur climbs out of hte fountain, completely dry and looking ever the same in his torn, blood-stained clothes. "How ever did you survive the passing of the Sun Keeper?" He inquires of Erebos as the dark elf lifts him free.
He shortly joins the others at looking out towards the site of the former agricultural site, and marvels at the light pouring down from above. "It appears our actions have opened a new path into Dammerhall. Truly, the new day finds our home." THe wizard lifts a finger ot make an additional point. "This will be a great boon in our struggle against the Black Flame. Not only has the focusing mechanisms that would blanket the world in darkness been destroyed, but we will be able to fight it in the sunlight."
He looks over to the room where the Sunkeeper had been formerly kept. "I must study the prototpe device so we may release the soul of the Black Flame and put a final end to it, if the device survived."
Dasur makes his way towards the room, now able to inspect it without the buffeting winds and heat for the first time..
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"What a strange cycle," says Glenda. "Our ancestors built this vast metropolis, but in the Quest for the Sky decided to reach the sun, and now we have come full circle and brought the sun and the sky to them."
”I’ll go with you, just in case Dasur,” says Garnet, curious about the mechanism room herself.
Erebos grimaces and glances downward. You find his lower extremities thoroughly charred and peeling, flesh and armor fused in places, and realize that he is floating above the surface of the freshly formed stone, his legs apparently useless.
"I was able to lift myself and Iverna above the flow, but the heat was still quite extreme."
Dasur and Garnet make their way to what is left of the room where the Sun Keeper was held. The walls have buckled and flowed, pooling around the device. It takes some effort to chip it free of the still warm stone.