". . . Faren, Orchid, can you take us somewhere that we can rest and restore ourselves.
"The soldiers are concentrated in garrisons and towers towards the outer edges of the city - a fair distance from us. Though as you have just witnessed, they occasionally have cause to pass through the High Quarter district, where we find ourselves."
"You should be fine to choose virtually any building here - help yourself if this place isn't to your liking. Just keep well away from the openings and mind your use of lights, loud noises and generation of current. As we were telling the halfling, Gandel was it? Schmoosh can help you with air. I'd try a room with a domed ceiling, common enough"
"Perhaps we can find some way to help you in return for your aid".
"Not at all. We've done nothing. I regret we can't stay to help you further. But time is unfortunately limited.
Orchid appears a bit frustrated at Faren's repeated deflections of the Dune Squad's requests for help.
Sense Motive
"Did ya say somethin' about the abeloth bein' involved?", Breach says with a hint of disdain in his voice. "If them things is involved, we need to get out of here quick. Tis' a beautiful place and be a shame to see anywhere fall inta the clutches of them fiends, but we got not chance against an army of them foul things as it stands now. I've fought one in my youth and it wasn't pretty. They enslave any race they can get their disgusting tentacles on."
Turning to Faren he says,"We need weapons, armor, or any special gear 'at may be left behind. I once used a helm that gave me the 'bilities ta move about underwater as if I was on dry land and breathin' water like it was air. You know of anything like it down here?
"Did ya say somethin' about the abeloth bein' involved?", Breach says with a hint of disdain in his voice.
"It's true", confirms Orchid. "Though they are rarely seen. Some call their representative in the triad the Comatheon, which means: 'The Rune Apocalypse'."
"If them things is involved, we need to get out of here quick. Tis' a beautiful place and be a shame to see anywhere fall inta the clutches of them fiends, but we got not chance against an army of them foul things as it stands now. I've fought one in my youth and it wasn't pretty. They enslave any race they can get their disgusting tentacles on."
Orchid nods sadly. "Yes, their slave battalions will come in force and then claim this place - though there still is a little time before then."
Turning to Faren [Breach] says,"We need weapons, armor, or any special gear 'at may be left behind. I once used a helm that gave me the 'bilities ta move about underwater as if I was on dry land and breathin' water like it was air. You know of anything like it down here?
"Not really," answers Faren, "Most beings here are already naturally adapted."
"As for weapons there is an armory on the center street in the front current, but that's the last place you want to be - the army is there." Faren thinks for a few moments and then adds, "Well they don't have fireplaces here, but they do have mantles nonetheless - perhaps someone has left some weapons over a mantle. Anything truly of value should have been taken, but many did leave in a great hurry."
"But, what of the magical treasures and devices still remain in this city. Their may be an answer to our freedom in those items. The slaves will be very loyal to their masters as the slime 'hey extrude is what sustains them.....Grief." Sneering a little, Breach has an unpleasent answer to their problem, "Any of the stuff kept in a laboratory or wizard's study. If we expose ourselves to it, we can breath water for a couple o' hours, boys. But....it comes a the price of not bein' able to breath air for the same amount of time. Not a happy alternative, but one which 'ill save us from ah drownin'."
"But, what of the magical treasures and devices still remain in this city. Their may be an answer to our freedom in those items.
"It is certainly possible," answers Orchid. "We are actually strangers here ourselves, coming from the All-Parts. While we have a map and Faren has engaged in a lot of study, there is much we still do not know of this place."
"But you seem to be breathing now - can't you just head home whatever way you came?"
"That's why I called them - they're from where you're from!"
. . . The slaves will be very loyal to their masters as the slime 'hey extrude is what sustains them.....Grief."[/b] Sneering a little, Breach has an unpleasent answer to their problem, [b]"Any of the stuff kept in a laboratory or wizard's study. If we expose ourselves to it, we can breath water for a couple o' hours, boys. But....it comes a the price of not bein' able to breath air for the same amount of time. Not a happy alternative, but one which 'ill save us from ah drownin'."
"Uh, aboleth slime? Can we maybe call that "Plan B"?"
In no particular order, as the subjects come up.
I'd be drilled do hab a webbon. Iv we come ubon dese invaders, we may hab a chance do devend ourselves.
To Faren: Whad is id dad yer doin' that makes ye so shord o' dime?
To Orchid (Because I don't think anyone has answered her?): We come vrom Golarion. We had bus'ness in Osirion when we were brod 'ere by fade.
I'd be drilled do hab a webbon. Iv we come ubon dese invaders, we may hab a chance do devend ourselves.
"Then you are brave indeed. Though when the Comatheon's army arrives I fear your best weapons will be your feet - to flutter kick yourselves away from here."
To Faren: Whad is id dad yer doin' that makes ye so shord o' dime?
"I'm not sure such short-lived creatures can understand - though then again I understand dwarves have quite an interest in history and genealogy."
"Overtime all great civilizations are lost, sometimes to rise again and sometimes to never be heard from again. I belong to a group that tries to preserve the memories of that place, when it happens. We don't always succeed. But our records contain pieces of knowledge and culture which should never be lost. War is an ugly business."
To Orchid (Because I don't think anyone has answered her?): We come vrom Golarion. We had bus'ness in Osirion when we were brod 'ere by fade.
She smiles, "Fate? Now that sounds like an amazing tale. Too bad Faren is too busy to hear it. Maybe he should be writing your story. Schmoosh says you came through the Gateway of Cascades on the reverse side - that of course isn't possible, is it?."
"I'm not sure such short-lived creatures can understand - though then again I understand dwarves have quite an interest in history and genealogy."
"Overtime all great civilizations are lost, sometimes to rise again and sometimes to never be heard from again. I belong to a group that tries to preserve the memories of that place, when it happens. We don't always succeed. But our records contain pieces of knowledge and culture which should never be lost. War is an ugly business."
Ah. I know a groub lik dad. I've some exberience wid da ancient 'isdry of da Dwarves, doo, so yer mission is nod losd on me.
"Good. Then you'll understand that we have a very limited window of time to go about our work. When Comatheon's triad arrives, Orchid and I hope to be far from here. We want to preserve a piece of history, not disappear with it."
"The way I sees it, we ain't got much of a plan A there, bub.", Breach says to Jason. "We need ta hurry up an' get a source of air 'at 'ill let us move about before them suckers get up here an' we get caught up in somethin' way worse 'han a couple of piddly monks and men-at-arms. Now....get us a plan out 'ere boys."
We hab a source o' air. Karek points as Schmoosh. Lookid all da bubbles.
Karek turns to Orchid. Id is quide a dale, do 'ear id dold. We were dalkin' wid a well-guarded queen, when we were bedrayed by an elf witch who had draveled wid us. We were unarmed and besed by her guard. Dis young briesd of Farasma, (here Karek indicates Donkor) bulled oben his candeen, and abbarendly broughd us drough de... Gadeway of Cascades, as ye call id. After a moment, he adds, Don'd ask me how id worked.
We hab a source o' air. Karek points as Schmoosh. Lookid all da bubbles.
The fruhgen nods excitedly:
I'm a source of air,
And I have no hair!
"Hey Karek, I think I got a new riddle!"
I'm a source of air,
And I have no hair!
Who am I!?
"You're yourself, Schmoosh," answers Jason with a paternalistic slow shake of his head.
Then brightening he adds, "Good! So problem one is down, now all we need is a way home before all hell breaks loose around here."
Karek turns to Orchid. Id is quide a dale, do 'ear id dold. We were dalkin' wid a well-guarded queen, when we were bedrayed by an elf witch who had draveled wid us. We were unarmed and besed by her guard. Dis young briesd of Farasma, (here Karek indicates Donkor) bulled oben his candeen, and abbarendly broughd us drough de... Gadeway of Cascades, as ye call id. After a moment, he adds, [b]Don'd ask me how id worked.
"That is remarkable then," interjects Faren, suddenly more interested. "My inquiries lead me to believe that only the mad renegade Sooron was capable of manipulating the gate."
"Oh not this again."
Belleson looks to the others to see how they want to handle it.
Dis young briesd's name is Donkor Sooron, iv ye don'd mind my sayin' so.
"I know that time runs short but the tale of the mad renegade God Sooron sounds pretty interesting to me. I am fairly knowledgeable about the Gods and I have not heard this tale. Please enlighten us". Hal gives a glance to Donkoor with half a grin on his face.
Dis young briesd's name is Donkor Sooron, iv ye don'd mind my sayin' so.
A sly look crosses Orchid's face - one that can only mean trouble. She is impressed. "Schmoosh - you've been holding out on us."
"I know that time runs short but the tale of the mad renegade God Sooron sounds pretty interesting to me. I am fairly knowledgeable about the Gods and I have not heard this tale. Please enlighten us". Hal gives a glance to Donkoor with half a grin on his face.
"I didn't know he was a god - I had always assumed the Sooron was a powerful marid sorcerer in exile."
"It's not so much a tale, as rumor. What I do know is there is a royal order for the Sooron's arrest - there's been several over the years in fact. The Sooron has been creating unlawful currents off and on for many years. Sometimes he's never heard of for years at a time and then suddenly he manipulates the gate. It's not that it causes calamity, it's more that it's an embarrassment to the shahzadas, who dislike that an outsider exerts control over their environment without permission. Indeed, I believe they have a toast to his ill health."
"Nothing has ever come of the arrest orders as genie law prohibits the marid from exercising their authority outside of this plane - at least not without angering a host of geniekind and our rather elaborate web of treaties."
"So let's just say, without accepting, that this is the same Sooron, then this would be a very bad thing to bring up to the authorities around here - which at the moment is pretty much everyone. In fact, this young man might wish to be away from this place all the more quickly."
He stops to think some more and looks at you all. "You really did come in through the Gateway of Cascades, didn't you."
"Yes [untranslatable], they obviously did - and they're going to desperately need a lift back to the All Parts."
"You know that's not possible."
"Anything is possible. The fact that we are here proves that".
So is the plan that Moonpate will now sleep in the bat cave, while Hurgah stands watch over him? Standing being the operative term because you’ll both be squished in a hidden chamber below the rocks, though you will hopefully be well concealed.
"Anything is possible. The fact that we are here proves that".
OOC:
Did I read that right? Is Hal attempting to reverse Faren’s position with his dwarven diplomacy? If so, give me a check.
I love that the social interaction scene was left to the three dwarves (Burny, Breaky and Cutty). Though like many things, Hal is much better at Diplomacy than I would have expected based on stereotypes.
If there’s any more to his appeal, include that too. But maybe Morgrym's pitch was already the way you like it: short and sweet.
"Sooron? Donkor Sooron? Name doesn't ring a bell. Not at all. I think that perhaps my companions were mistaken. I am Dinker Sarron. Certainly close, but no Sooron. Nosir.
However leaving here in a hurry does seem like a good idea, since if even my dear friends here could make such a mistake, the authorities might of course have the same problem. Oh my.
And certainly if such a terrible mistake were made, there would be unfortunate consequences for those that were with me. I certainly hope that you can find it in your hearts and schedule to help us return home!"
Diplomacy:
Ooc: Dwarven psychology! Here is my Diplomacy roll.
Diplomacy
Perhaps Schmoosh can assist as well:
Diplomacy:
So close! Faren is not swayed by an elongated "please".
So is the plan that Moonpate will now sleep in the bat cave, while Hurgah stands watch over him? Standing being the operative term because you’ll both be squished in a hidden chamber below the rocks, though you will hopefully be well concealed.
“Guys, guys, please – leave the man alone.”
“Can’t you see Faren’s got important work to do here?”
“We’ll just find a way out of this mess on our own. I mean sure, we’ll probably wind up stuck here, trapped in some room breathing ejected air off of Schmoosh when a hoard of aboleth slaves busts in and slowly tears us apart wave after wave, but it’s not Faren’s problem.”
“It’s not like we’d do the same for him were our situations reversed. Okay well maybe Hal as a cleric of a holy deity would be morally obligated to do the right thing, but the rest of us would probably just mind our own business and let him die – no? Just because we shared a moment as fugitives hiding from the authorities together doesn't make us obligated.”
----------
That's the idea, though it will certainly make Moon feel even more in debt to his protector. When he studies his spell book then Hurgah can get some sleep. The other option being that we can both try to sleep (maybe sitting back to back) and use an Alarm spell set to mental alarm to keep our little cave warded.
----------
An hour later the sun completes its majestic display as it sets beyond the horizon. Shortly after the tiny shaft of sunlight piercing into the cave dwindles thinner until it vanishes entirely. You are left in darkness - darkness save for the shining eyes of Hurgah which have that eerie predator's look in the dark. When he blinks the cave becomes pitch black.
An hour or two later, somewhere in the distance a wolf howls. Wait, were there wolves in this desert?
The wolf's howl is joined by another one - this one coming from the opposite side. Then a third answers, coming from yet another direction.
Soon there is a chorus of a mighty pack - a pack spread out across the desert - spread out around you. There’s something about that howl though. It sounds wrong, like it’s off in some way.
Then there is silence, and empty screaming silence. Yep, tonight isn’t going to make the top ten list of the best sleeps the conjurer has ever had.
Karek's Diplomacy Aid:
Jes like d'elves. Nevr'an ounce o' symbaddy. Karek mutters as he flutter kicks backwards, examining the structure of the newfound abode.
Karek's Diplomacy Aid: d20-3 = 2
Hmmmmm - no aid there. Perhaps Breach is our remaining hope? His decision to make a non Cha dump-statting dwarf fighter, could suddenly pay off - though Shatttershield doesn't have any actual ranks in Diplomacy. Perhaps he can charm Faren with a dissertation on the finer points of aboleth slime. I think we need a stirring speach - can the old guy channel his inner Captain Picard?
Once again it appears the Dune Squad hangs by a 50/50 coin flip. Hmmmm, maybe we'd better start considering that Plan "C".
Breach listens as his friends continue to argue their case with the mystical visitors and again grows concerned about the amount of time that is passing. ”I do not want to force the issue here, but we must leave this place soon. At the very least, we must find an interior room that the aboleth and other large creatures of the deep places cannot enter. I can rig some traps to slow them, but that is all we will do if we do not find a permanent way to breath underwater or escape this realm. Schmoosh can provide a way to get air at the top of the room, but we will not be able to defend ourselves if we must swim to it.”
Karek's Diplomacy Aid: d20-3 = 2
Hmmmmm - no aid there. Perhaps Breach is our remaining hope? His decision to make a non Cha dump-statting dwarf fighter, could suddenly pay off - though Shatttershield doesn't have any actual ranks in Diplomacy. Perhaps he can charm Faren with a dissertation on the finer points of aboleth slime. I think we need a stirring speach - can the old guy channel his inner Captain Picard?
Once again it appears the Dune Squad hangs by a 50/50 coin flip. Hmmmm, maybe we'd better start considering that Plan "C".
Moonpate stares into the darkness at the rocks above as if the stony veil would part and reveal the tableau of villians above. He is slightly worried but not fearful, remembering the greater dangers he has faced many times before. And the solid, fierce presence of the mightiest protector he has ever known standing near him helps tremendously to put his mind at ease. Drawing upon his inner strengths and the courage of his fellow cave dweller, Moonpate closes his eyes and tries to let his mind drift off into sleep.
Would it be possible for Moonpate to make an appraise check on one of my pieces of gear which might save them? I would imagine durng the long trek through the desert they may have discussed it.
“[Untranslatable], they’re going to die here,” Orchid says softly as she searches to see if her companion has any compassion left at all.
“The law is clear,” says Faren, hardening himself. “Excuse us for a moment,” he adds as he turns to you, only briefly.
Faren then guides Orchid as they swim out the window to the balcony some ways out of earshot. Their ensuing discussion is quite animated.