Whatever you need, brother....you have but to ask. Go...and stay out of trouble...I won't always be around to watch your back.
Stay safe....and I will look after the ladies.. he says as he grips the
warrior's meaty hand. He playfully pushes him away, making a shooibg motion.
Grayface permits himself no tears, nothing more than a warm hug with each of his friends... even Titania, before heaving his backpack over his shoulder and beginning the long hike upwards. And, as the group becomes a little smaller, the Steward's voice echoes through the complex, "The way down to the Pleasure Gardens is near the Iron Creche... if you are ready? I await you..."
Back through the scenes of their conquest - already returned to some level of order - the group arrive back at the spire - and are directed by the disembodied voice towards a squared door in the northern wall.... the hatch opens into a chamber where a vertical shaft drops into darkness farther than the eye can see.
A square platform about 8 feet in diameter hovers at the top of the shaft - there is a bronze lever on the wall near the door, currently in its “up” position.
As Grayface departs and their time of rest comes to its conclusion, Yasmin reluctantly approaches the Spire to continue their mission. She observes the shaft and hovering square platform. "What is this? Some sort of magical floating disc? Will it bring us downstairs" Yasmin casts detect magic to study it.
Tot is left a mumbling, red-faced mess by Grayface's show of affection for her. Never has the term luminescent blush been so apt.
By the time they arrive at the way down, it had faded some, but her cheeks were still a rather bright crimson.
"Um, is this thing safe?"
We will soon know, if such is our Fate. My knowledge of mechanical things isn't extended enough to reassure you, and it might work by magic too.
I trust nothing down here...Rallos says suspiciously as he looks iver the disc for any traps.
The voice of the Steward rings out, "The lift has remained operational throughout the Iron Creche's brief reign... I have checked its function and I believe it to be safe. Throw the lever downwards and it'll take you the next two hundred feet down to the Pleasure Gardens"
It seems that the lift is arcanely powered... yet with mechanical safeguards in place.
Tot makes the mistake of looking down as she crosses to the plarform and the remnants of her blush disappear as her face turns bone pale. Once she's across, she clings tight to Rallos and screws her eyes shut the entire way down. In the quiet, she can be heard giving a silent and fervent prayer about not falling to everyone's death.
Yasmin seems to be a little tense with the idea of this magic platform herself. Seeing Titania's nerves doesn't help. "If this thing fails, it'll take me just a few seconds to teleport all of us off this platform and somewhere safe." Taking a deep breath, she steps onto the platform.
Tot holds Rallos with one arm while the other snakes around Yasmin's waist and pulls her close.
The platform barely moves beneath the load of Titania, Yasmin, Ea and Rallos... if anything it might wobble slightly where any weight is placed near its edge - but at no point does it threaten to tip the group off... And so, with the Steward - his voice chiming musically from the stones orbiting the spire - wishing them good fortune, the lever is thrown... and, slowly at first, the platform descends...
The descending wooden platform finally comes to rest on a dais in a small, square room. To the east, a short flight of wide marble steps leads down to a grand hall. A bronze lever, currently in its 'down' position, is on the wall near the stairs - lanterns, shining with a constant, unflickering radiance, light the room... and, down the steps, the elegant marbled floor of the hallway beyond...
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Murassa stumbled along the corridor, clutching his head wearily. Stepping out of the corridor as the fog in his mind lifted, he looked around in confusion. 'Didn't I just step away?' he thought to himself as he gazed upon the empty area. Nothing was around, and dust had settled upon the floor. Deciding to risk it, his voice echoed around the room as he called for his companions, though the Hellknight's name had a hard edge to it. Waiting for a moment to no response, he slowly made his way down the corridor. All around, no traces of his friends could be found. "What happened? Where is everyone?" he asked quietly to break up the silence.
Coming upon a set of stairs, and knowing that he really didn't want to make the slow trip all the way back up the spire, as he didn't have any of the transporter crystals, Murassa let out a sigh and made his way down. "Yasmin! Rallos! Ea! Anybody there?" he yelled once again. Still nothing, he tried to decide which direction to take before going off at random. 'There's got to be some way of finding them...'
Thankful that the descent goes off without issue, Yasmin puts up her magical defenses.
"This is certainly a well-maintained place. Is it too much to hope this level is empty?" Yasmin looks about for magic, trying to tune out the magics of the mobile platform behind her.
The stairs leading down from the empty chambers become even, orderly flights that descend 20 feet at each turn for some 400 feet in total, passing several former workshops and strongholds filled with rubble that were long ago destroyed and abandoned. Finally, the stairs reach a vertical shaft with an iron ladder running down its side that drops another 200 feet or so...
...until, at the bottom of the shaft lies a chamber with walls formed from opaque green glass. Ringing out, a disembodied voice chimes almost musically, Welcome, honoured guest. We have long awaited your return. Server Two! We have another guest for tea”.
There are auras emanating from along the hallway - simple, readily discernible fields that are surely associated with the lights... and then, something else - a Transmutation aura of some kind...
"There's some sort of transmutation magic out there--more than just the lights." The sorceress tries to figure out what the transmutation aura might be.
Tot raises an eyebrow as she hears what else Yasmin sees with her otherworldly sight.
"Uh, what kind of magic is that," she asks as she takes a position at the front. She seems a little unsteady on her feet, but that was probably part of the aftereffects of the terror she had felt on the way down.
The voice instructs Murassa to "Pass through the door to his right and, from there, the way shall be obvious... this is the Sanctum - and you? You are of the Patrons? You have returned?"
The transmutation aura is, almost certainly associated with the animation of inert objects... the kind of arcane mastery that allows for the creation of golems, clockworks and other such constructs.
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Cautiously moving towards the indicated door, Murassa peered inside. "Um, I'm sorry, not sure who the Patrons are," he said, hoping that it wouldn't be some kind of fiend or anything of the sort. "You wouldn't happen to have seen a group of four or so come through here recently? I seem to have lost my companions."
"Transmutation is one of the broadest areas of magic. At its most basic, it changes one substance into another. In this case, seems like magic to imbue constructs with life, maybe like our friends above. Something here might actually be alive? I don't know, I might be jumping to conclusions."
Yasmin starts walking forward tentatively beside Titania. "Hello? Um . . . we are here to see the Pleasure Gardens, after having passed through the Sanctum and the Iron Creche. Is anyone there?" She feels kind of silly talking to air, but figures it was worth trying.
"Um, Yasmin? Do you think anyone's going to be peaceful if they see me with a sword as long as I am," she asks quietly.
if they're not friendly, just smash them on the head with your sword...problem solved. Rallos says with his sly grin. Any idea where we're going?
The engraved double doors swing open, revealing a cozy room. The couch by the crackling fire is richly upholstered, and a massive painting hung above the fireplace depicts an army scattered around an erupting volcano... There is a small door to the west, and a large double door to the east. Place settings are laid out at a round table.
An automaton comes through the double doors to the east - setting a steaming teapot and delicate cup on the table, it listens as the voice rings out again, "You are not of the Patrons?" - the voice somehow conveys a little sadness, "These friends of yours? An armoured fiend, a sorcerer, a Pharasmin, a slave and a tailed fiend?" The automaton angles its head inquisitively, "Those are your friends? The patrons owe them favour for their taming of the Iron Creche... they were very brave. Are you a warrior also?"
The hall at the foot of the stairs is finished in honey marble and features four red granite columns. At the east end, an ornamental arch surrounds large stone double doors. The door is emblazoned with a large, and familiar, symbol; a skull with a crown. To the left and right of the doorway stand two large iron statues. Each statue holds an ornamental axe and shield, and has short, stumpy legs, a round belly, and a wide mouth above its sculpted beard.
...and there is no response to Yasmin calling out.
"You know, I'm pretty sure they're not friendly. Look at that symbol on the door!" Yasmin points to the familiar skull with a crown. "We may have finally found the undead base."
Out of paranoia, Yasmin checks if the transmutation auras she sensed earlier are coming from those dwarven statues. Otherwise, she lets her braver, more observant friends press forward.
"Oh no," Tot groans as she hears that there are likely undead ahead, "please let there be no vampires. There aren't any vampires, right?"
Strangely, Tot's cheeks turn red as she mentions vampires.
Tot seems more embarrassed than frightened. There's bound to be a story here.
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Thinking over the list of people, they were easy enough to identify. Yasmin was obviously the Sorcerer, Ea the Pharasmin, Rallos was the tailed one, and it was good that the metal men knew enough to identify Hellknights as fiends. But the slave? That took him back a bit and required some thought. Finally, "Wait, Grayface? Grayface is here? How the Hells did he get down here?!" he exclaimed before shaking his head. "Yeah, those are my friends, mostly. Any way you can take me to them?"
Yasmin was pretty sure she wasn't the only one seeing this. "Are you okay, Tot? There's more to this vampire question I'm guessing."
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, I-I-I'm fine! Not thinking about things that time one time. Nope! Not one bit," Tot lies through a smile that isn't fooling anyone.
The voice tinkles, "Grayface... yes, Grayface that was his name... he returned to the sunlit lands whilst the others, they continued downward to the Pleasure Gardens. And yes, if you do not wish to stay here and avail yourself of the services of the Sanctum, I can guide you onwards towards your companions".
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"I'm sure you've got a sweet place here, but I've been seperated from my friends - and Titania - for at least a little while, and I'd like to rejoin them as soon as I can," Murassa said, looking around warily, and half-expecting a squad of clockwork beings to appear and try to harvest his organs to repair their constructs. "Do you know how far they are from here?"
If there are vampires around, we must do our utmost to destroy them, but we will have to be cautious. My weapon is more powerful against undead, but I'm not quite a fighter.
"You're sure you won't stay for tea? For a little refreshment even?" and then hearing the desire in Murassa's voice to press onwards, "Very well... please wait a moment"
A minute or so later, during which time 'Server Two' stands impassively next to the table, the door to the west swings open and an armoured automaton strides in... the voice rings out as Murassa visibly tenses, "Honour Guard Three will guide you through the Iron Creche and bring you to the elevator platform... from there, I can send you through to your friends... why, they must have only been gone for thirty minutes or so... such helpful folk... I'm sorry, I'm rambling a bit... please do follow Honour Guard Three"
Turning on its heel, the automaton heads back into the room to the west...
Quite unsurprisingly, the auras emanate from the pot-bellied statues...
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Looking over at the new robot, Murassa was visibly unsettled, but forced himself to calm down. 'So far no attempts to collect my organs, and that will hopefully last,' he thought before looking back at the...master?...of the place. "Thank you, that is most appreciated. I greatly look forward to rejoining them, and I promise, if or when I come back this way I will take you up on that offer of tea." With that, he followed the silent Honor Guard towards the elevator shaft. Giving a wary nod of thanks, he settled on the platform and hand to keep himself from twitching in unease as it suddenly descended.
Upon reaching the next floor, Murassa cautiously descended the stairs and stopped for a moment as he took in his surroundings. Trying to keep from being too loud, he called out, "Hello? Yasmin? Ea? Rallos? You down here?" As he called out, part of his mind thought about defense and his trusty mental weapon appeared in his hand.
"Careful . . . I'm pretty sure those statues might come to life. Let me study them to make sure. In the meantime, what were you saying about that one time with vampires?"
Tot sighs as she realizes she's not going to be dodging this arrow. Just as Murassa gets within earshot, she starts telling her story.
"It was about three or four years ago. We had this cult of Urgathoa making trouble in some town in northwestern Cheliax. They had this one vampire that– I swear I'm not making this up!– sparkled in any kind of light. For whatever reason, he took a shine to me and started making advances. Very forward[ advances. He kept trying to make me his bride, whisk me away on some moonlit picnic, carry me off to his bed. I never could get him to understand that I wasn't interested, or that I was increasingly wanting to kill him out of personal hatred rather than because he was a menace to society. It went on for about a year before he caught me in my quarters in my underwear. The rest of the patrol found me covered in blood and sitting on top of him as I strangled him with his own intestines."
The small woman gives a visceral shudder at the memory.
"So there, that's why I'm praying there's no vampires in there," she states rather flatly as she points to the doors marked by the skull and crown.
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Moving forward, Murassa suddenly heard voices ahead of him. Walking as quietly as he could, he peeked around the corner and found those he was searching for. Before he could call out to them, he caught the story Titania was speaking and grinned an evil grin. Thinking quickly, he changed his voice to a strange accent and said, "But honey, we made such beautiful music together that night! Surely you will become my bride now?"
Tot nearly jumps out of her skin when Murassa announces himself. The undignified squeak does little to help her feel better about the situation, nor does the stark, disbelieving terror and rage flashing in her eyes as she wheels on him with her sword ready to lop limbs off.
The words die in her throat as she sees Murassa standing before her, smugly grinning at her. There's no fangs, and Tot's sword falls to the ground with a clang as she practically tackles the spellsword.
"Please don't be some cruel joke," she begs him as she unwittingly tries to crush his ribs.
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The smug grin on his face turned to one of terror as the small woman rushed at him. As her arms wrapped around his body, he cried out to the others, "Help!! She's attacking me!! Get off get off getoffgetoffgetoff!" He struggled in vain, trying to get the limpet-like grip to loosen as his wide eyes begged the others for help.
Well, of all the spires in the world...you happened to come here to mine. Murassa, you wiley rascal...where did you get to? We thought you lost to the depths...
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Yasmin spins around in disbelief. Murassa! You're alive! It's been so long, we were sure . . ." The sorceress leaves the rest unsaid.
Instead, she heads over to Murassa as well. "Attack? You do realize we're all about to attack you!" And joins what is now a group hug, albeit with a gentler embrace.
"Sorry!" Tot squeeks as she lets Murassa go. Her cheeks practically glow with the heat of her blush as she steps back. She looks more like a young girl than a Hellkinght as she grips one arm above the elbow with the other hand and keeps her eyes from meeting anyone else's.
"So... what happened in the Tomb," she asks.
"You don't remember the fight with those worm things at all?" Tot's voice carries a note of incredulity, and it's clear the question popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. Her cheeks flush a little more as she screws her eyes shut and shakes her head like someone trying to clear it after being dazed.
"Sorry," she apologies, "you disappeared when you wandered down that corridor. It's been nine months since then."
Nice to meet you again. Could you prove to us you are the real Murassa?
Ea keeps calm. The Spire was a dangerous and treacherous place, and she was keeping her own feelings in check for so long she had no troubles being suspicious.
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Murassa looked at them confused. "What do you mean, 9 months? I was in that corridor for, like 5 minutes, max," he told them. "I mean, yeah, the worm things got to my head and all, but there's no way I'd miss 9 frakking months just walking around. Don't you think I'd starve to death first or something? As for me, well," As he got to the end, he lifted his had and remanifested his weapon. "If this don't convince you, not sure what will."
For a moment, Ea's doubts make Yasmin wonder herself what she could believe. She lets go of Murassa and gives him a questioning look. But with the appearance of the mindblade, she seems to decide. "I think Murassa has been snarky enough to prove himself, don't you think?"
She tries to catch up with the latest activities. "Oh Murassa, there's really so much crazy, let me tell you. For us, it's only been a few weeks. We were distraught when you disappeared, but fought our way through the tomb and defeated some great evil within. We then used the Spire to teleport up after our journey. Instead of making it through as usual, we were intercepted by a powerful creature named Iluchtewar who apparently has been watching us come and go through the spire. This character seems to be waiting for some people called the xiomorn to come back so they could enslave all the races. When our conversation became not-so-friendly, we got teleported to the surface but it was winter again. Nine months really had passed. We even drank a toast to your disappearance--I had always just prayed you'd ended up in some alternate plane where you'd be able to make a new life."
"Many months had passed on without us, and Grayface, having gotten his vengeance, came back to rejoin us. He helped us reclaim that strange automaton level above us--you really should try that spa, by the way. But Gray felt the call to fight the slavers once more." Yasmin sighs forlornly as she makes this last statement. "And now we are here."
The reunion, and any debate as to whether Murassa is really Murassa, will have to wait - for, as the Yasmin draws close to the statues, the pot-bellied structures lurch into life. A distended - growing ever larger - metal maw filled with blunt, sculpted teeth stretches across the upper portion of the rotund iron effigies.
Tophets are often assembled in groups of up to a dozen, where cruel rulers incarcerate traitors and other criminals. Mindless creatures capable only of obeying their masters' whims, these unthinking constructs make incorruptible guardians and are endlessly loyal.
Rallis rushes forward, lamenting the lack of peace in the Spire as he goes. He lashes out at the left most figure.
Can we not have a brief moment's peace in thus thrice damed place?