"What would prevent Marigold from abolishing the test, if she is as you say Ruler of Occipitus" Ryan says reasonably
JJ nods enthusiastically.
"Good question Ryan. Couldn't Margiold make the test being one of goodness and light?"
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At Maridgold's answer Maxim flashes a wry grin and nods;
Good to see our Lil' Miss smilin' 'gain. Hell's Teeth she carries enough on her shoulders as it is, betwixt dreams an' mystical markings o' forbodin'...
As the questions and theorising continues, the gun-mage moots his own notion;
"Might be that ye alter the trials Lil' Miss... Make it damned near impossible to depose ye? Reckon makin' someone figure out the conundrum o' Surabar's mind would be a puzzle to test even the sharpest o' challengers!"
JJ rolls his eyes at Maxim, but the weight of fatigue on him is such that there is no retort to the friendly dwarfs words. Rather he just sits down.
"If you could send people back to their homes... could you send all the demons and devils and even the trapped celestial creatures back to their homes too." asks JJ.
"I th-think that's what the p-proctor said," Marigold replies. "If I've g-got the p-power. I d-don't know how to t-test that without trying but I g-guess I won't know either way until I d-do..."
Marigold tries to think back to one of the many creatures they saw on their journey across Occipitus but chose to avoid, rather than tangle with. Having selected one, she squinches her eyes closed and tries focusing really hard, willing the creature to be sent back to whatever plane is its native home.
To those observing, it looks as though she's struggling mightily with some digestive difficulties.
"The Test she can abolish if she has the power and strength to modify it, but then what kind of chaos this will become without a clear law to chose a ruler? What will happen when current ruler dies, what battles will be fought among the inheritors?" the proctor turns this time to inform Ryan.
Marigold can clearly see and hear the outsider she has chosen, but it remains where it is.
"How about setting a test that requires a good heart? " suggests JJ.
"That would be doable, surely. Perform ten acts of charity within ten minutes for example."
"Rgh...I can s-see the one I'm th-thinking about b-but I can't seem to w-will them back to their h-home," Marigold sighs, opening her eyes. "M-maybe I'm not strong enough t-to do it?"
To JJ she adds, "That s-sounds good in theory but I d-don't think it'd be that s-simple. Whatever T-Tests are in p-place need to h-happen here on Occipitus...b-but I w-wonder if the entire g-geography and n-nature of this p-place would have to ch-change first before the n-nature of the Tests could be ch-changed?"
"Well, if anyone can do it Marigold, it's you." says JJ with fierce determination/.
"And if you want, I will stay here to help you do it. There are still hundreds of those demons out there. " He pauses to think.
"[b]Do you think you could see if there are any other celestials still "alive" in those bubbles that you could release?
Kikinnin's had enough of the Occipitus debate. He leaves JJ and Marigold to contemplate their new lives on the damned demiplane, so removed from Cauldron's less celestial concerns.
"Marigold, if you could secure this chamber, or the previous one? I'd like to get out of my armor, and close my eyes for a while, and I'd like to do it without an undead still about."
Presuming there's a place to rest, Kikinnin commences with his healing.
"Ryan, I don't suppose you have any of Abadar's blessings to help JJ and I shirk the black flame's touch? I don't want to wake up, and find myself just as weak as I am now."
"Oh! Um y-yes, I'll do my b-best," Marigold starts, looking a little guilty as she realizes practically everyone but herself is still weakened and injured in one way or another. "We should all r-rest anyway; we can t-talk more about, um...all th-this later."
Marigold now focuses her attention on willing the room they stand in to become secure; barriers crossing over the entrance to seal out anyone or anything that might appear to try and cause trouble.
"J-Juraan...JJ, when you m-mentioned him I saw an image in my m-mind," she remarks. "He's with Saureya out at the P-Plain of Cysts, cutting p-parts off that b-basilisk we fought. Sh-should I see if I can t-transport them both in here w-with us?"
Maxim nods in agreement at the notion of some rest and recuperation, as the group make camp he lays out the items recovered from Kaurophon;
Headband of Charisma +2
wand of magic missile (9th level, 22 charges)
wand of web (18 charges)
bag of holding II (with a large scrying silver mirror inside)
scroll of disintegrate
scroll of greater invisibility
scroll of dispel magic
scroll of keen edge
Casting an eye o'er the array he points and comments;
"Headband there would be mighty useful to a ruler such as you Lil' Miss 'iffin' you didn't possess one already... Perhaps my Bror or Taskerhill would benefit most? Wands are always useful. Bag o' Holding is an upgrade on those we already got...Scrolls are powerful magicks, all o' em have a use. There's a mirror inside o' that bag too... Ain't investigated it none yet... though given our past misadventures with mirrors an' such perhaps we should belay?"
Marigold closes the doors at the Skull effectively securing the area. The proctor remains outside protecting the area from any disturbance.
This creates a calm place for the group to rest and make plans for the future.
The time will pass swift and the Cauldron Watchers will soon wake up fully recovered and ready.
JJ slumps to the ground at the edge of the large room. Bruised, battered and all but beaten, he watches the fountain of energy with a kind of bemused detachment, and before he realises it he is asleep.
"At the moment not much I can do, but heal your wounds; but in the morning I should be able to help you both." Ryan grasp the key at his neck and whispers a prayer to Abadar to hear the company's wounds before they rest.
In the morning Ryan will study and prepare two Restoration spells to use for JJ and Kikinnin.
Maxim shakes a small vial from one of the treasure bags;
"This purports to be a Potion o' Restoration - will give one o' ye immediate relief?"
After the long deserved rest Ryan is able to prepare the restoration spells. As he calls for the blessing of Abadar to heal both JJ and Kikinnin, he throws some diamond dust over them. Both warriors quickly fill better as the negative energy consumed by the Nexus is returned by Ryan's mighty divine powers.
With a fresher mind, after reflecting on the proctor's words and experiencing with the new feelings of the world around her, Marigold is able to gain a finer insight of what her new powers are exactly.
CONSTANT ABILITIES GAINED EVERYWHERE
Appearance: One of the creature's eyes (usually the left one) is replaced with magical flame that gives off no heat and does not burn the surrounding flesh. When the eye is open, it provides illumination as a candle. The base creature's vision is unaffected, she can still see through the transformed eye normally. The eye also gives off wisps of bitter smoke. The smoke doesn't obscure vision, but it does give a +10 bonus to creatures trying to track the base creature by scent.
Attacks: +1 insight bonus on all attacks as the power of Occipitus subtly guides her blows.
Spellcasting: The caster level for spells and spell-like abilities goes up by +1. The power of Occipitus makes your spells last slightly longer, reach slightly farther, and deal slightly more damage.
Imbued with Evil: Regardless of your actual alignment, spells and spell-like abilities with the evil descriptor treat you as if your alignment where evil. Spells and spell-like abilities with the good descriptor treat you as if your alignment was good. Magic items are similarly fooled.
Lie in State: On death, your body disappears after a number of rounds equal to your character level. The body reappears dead but intact in the Skull's eye socket on Occipitus. Any equipment is likewise transported to Occipitus, and it is likewise reconstituted at the moment of death. Each time this ability is used, there's a 20% chance of losing the Sign of the Smoking Eye template. Dimensional anchor, dimensional lock and similar effects delay the body's transportation.
Morphic potential: You have the potential to change the landscape of Occipitus through conscious effort, provided you are powerful enough to do so. Details of how this ability can be used are up to the GM but in any case no creature of 20th level or lower can wield such power consciously. Over time, even a lower-level character exerts a subconscious influence on Occipitus, however, and the landscape and the essential nature of the plane changes to conform to the base creature's alignment and desires.
Saves: You gain a +1 insight bonus on all saving throws, it's almost as if the layer of Occipitus is looking out for you.
Level adjustment: Same as base creature +1. The creature is now treated as one level higher than the base creature's equivalent class level for purposes of determining experience point awards.
WHILE YOU ARE IN OCCIPITUS:
Call Plasms: once per hour, you can call 1d3 plasms. You can control them as a move-equivalent action. Note that if you are not in the Skull, it will take 10 rounds for the plasms to descend from the sky.
Terror of the Smoking Eye: You have +8 to Bluff or Intimidate any chaotic or evil inhabitant of Occipitus. The creature must see that you bear the Sign.
Planar Awareness: You are instantly aware of major events on the plane. Major events would include (for example) a balor Planeshifting onto the plane, a party of high level adventurers destroying the Cathedral of Feathers, or someone casting a Wish or Miracle spell.
Spell resistance: equal to 10 + 1/2 your level + your Cha modifier.
Damage resistance 5/Good.
Command You may be able to command the surviving servants of Adimarchus (such as the Mummy Lord proctors), if you can find them.
WHILE YOU ARE IN THE SKULL:
Vision of the Smoking Eye: you can see and hear anywhere in Occipitus, like Clairvoyance/Clairaudience with unlimited range and duration. You can move your vision to anyplace in the plane. If you designate a location (i.e., the Cathedral of Feathers) you see and hear everything and everyone there, no saving throw. If you designate a creature, ("I want to see the fallen angel Saureya"), then the creature gets a Will save, DC 10 + 1/2 your level + your Cha modifier.
Voice of the Smoking Eye: you can communicate telepathically with any creature on Occipitus that you are aware of. The creature may choose not to respond.
Call of the Smoking Eye: you can call any inhabitant of Occipitus to you. "Inhabitant" is defined as any creature on the plane that has spent at least a week on the plane. Unwilling creatures get a Will save. You do not control the creature, and called creatures may not have a friendly attitude.
Planar Step: From the Skull, you can Teleport without error to anywhere in Occipitus, or Planeshift to anywhere in the multiverse. These abilities are one-way, and do not help you return to the Skull.
Immortality: While in the Skull, you do not age.
Morphic potential: You have the potential to change the landscape and nature of Occipitus. This power will increase if you are more powerful (higher level).
Wish: Once per year, you can cast a Wish. There is no xp cost; Occipitus itself grants you this power. What are the limits are completely subject to Occipitus will as controlled by the GM.
Plasms: plasms are writhing, mindless conglomerates of flame and evil. They have a fly speed of 30' (perfect), always moving on initiative 0. They don't attack, but simply move into squares like a swarm. Plasms inflict 8d6 of flame damage and 8d6 of evil damage every round. If left uncontrolled, a plasm will move towards any living thing within 120 feet. If there is no living thing within range, the plasm will rise back into Occipitus' sky.
"At the moment not much I can do, but heal your wounds; but in the morning I should be able to help you both."
"This purports to be a Potion o' Restoration - will give one o' ye immediate relief?"
As Kikinnin continues to strip his armor off, he considers the two offers of healing, much desired. "Keep the potion, bror. I'll trust to Ryan's strength in Abadar to see us healed. I'm only glad that peace has finally come to Occipitus, if only for a short while."
"Someone should fetch Juraan."
...
When Ryan restores his health, something changes in his confidence, as if Occipitus itself lent Ryan and Abadar an extra strength throughout the dwarf's whole frame. Kikinnin claps a hand on Ryan's shoulder, his cheeks raised in approval as the weakness bleeds away.
The black beard begins again with his armor, unsure if they'll immediately set out, and unsure as to where and with whom.
"So, is this it, then? Are we leaving Marigold and JJ behind to look over Occipitus? Was this what Abadar suggested, that we'd thwart the Cagewrights by claiming this land against their will?" Kikinnin considers the way forward.
"As for the Tests... Does Adimarchus himself set the pieces back on the board for others to try their might? Is the bebelith back, along with another angel trapped, for the First Test? Do the Lanterns continue to pop into existence to guide those would would attempt the Second Test, on the Path? I imagine the Column of Fire isn't going anywhere." Kikinnin looks about for the mummy lord.
"Marigold, are you going to allow the mummy to remain here? Is there more than one mummy? You should destroy the mummy, and any like it."
Kikinnin looks about the chamber in which they reside.
"Personally, I'd like to go home."
"Actually, I've already g-got one," Marigold replies to Maxim, brushing a few locks of hair off her forehead to reveal said headband. "If n-no one else here could use it then I'm s-sure it'll fetch a fair p-price back in Cauldron."
______________
After a restful but strange sort of sleep, Marigold awakes refreshed but also now imbued with a better idea of just how her experience has changed her and the extent of her influence over Occipitus - at least for now. Though she knows that some of them likely won't approve of all of it, she spends time doing her best to explain what's been revealed to her so they can better plan their next move.
"Um...I honestly d-don't know," Marigold admits in response to Kikinnin's question. "We've g-got control of this place for now s-so the Cagewrights will have to p-pass the tests on their own and um, I g-guess fight me if they want to claim it for themselves."
She frowns, looking around. "G-getting home isn't the p-problem so much as getting b-back here, at least for m-me. What do you all th-think? The r-rest of you need to g-get back home...and t-truth be told I'd like to s-see home again too. We've b-been gone ages and I w-worry about what's happened. B-but...if you th-think that it would b-be best if I stay here for a t-time and work to p-purify this place then th-that's what I'll do."
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With her new imbued powers Marigold calls both Juraan and Saureya to the Skull's socket after a short telepathic talk with them. They both appear in a sudden burst of flames!
Juraan looks around excited "Where is Kaurophon? Oh! What happened to your eye Marigold?!"
After you update the professor with everything happened Juraan offers a possible solution for the group "Oh! This place is just incredibly interesting!!! Saureya knows just so much about the history of this place! And I mean, look all those gush of flames and so many angels and devils to talk too!! I guess I should return to Cauldron and help you find out what happened with Alek and Redgorge, but if you think someone should stay here and take care of this place while you are not Marigold, I would really enjoy to stay behind!!! There is so much to learn!" Juraan looks at the proctor "You can perhaps give me a high charge here and tell your servants to obey me?!"
"We have already learnt so much about the forces looming over Cauldron, thanks to this trip! Perhaps there is something more hidden to discover still!!!" Juraan seems excited by the idea.
Kikinnin turns to Juraan, an obvious look of perplex draped on his face. "If we learned something about the threat to Cauldron here, I failed my homework, Professor. I only place Kaurophon as conspirator with the Cagewrights, and that Abadar encouraged us to come. Please, my wearied mind would know what it is you think you've learned."
For the blond beard's work, the black beard looks over a couple of the items being inspected. The Headband and the Cloak draw his attention more firmly than the other things.
"The Cloak came from a Cyst of Occipitus. I'd say that Marigold has earned the right to wear it. Should she be challenged in the future, she should have as much protection as possible."
The Headband intrigues him, personally. "If anyone wants to wear this Headband, I'll not challenge you. If not, I'll don it myself, as its energies weave with Abadar's."
JJ opens an eye. "Good point about Alex, and Sara will be worrying about me too. And who knows what is happening between Redgorge and Cauldron.
He smiles a thank-you to Ryan. "Abdar be praised. I feel like a new man this morning with his blessing. Honestly, when I went to sleep last night, I didn't know if I would even wake up today."
He stares and the ground, dragging his feel. "So many things tugging me in different directions. " he growls, frustrated about not being able to be in many places at the same time.
Marigold thinks for a moment. "As m-much as I'd like to go home...m-maybe it would be best if I stayed here, at l-least for a little while. To g-get a better sense of wh-who and wh-what I am now...and to s-see what I can d-do about making Occipitus into s-something better than what it c-currently is."
Her hand drifts up to her left eye briefly and she offers a small smile. "N-not to mention this w-would draw some attention back h-home unless I wore some s-sort of disguise or eyepatch."
"And if J-Juraan would like to st-stay here and h-help...well, I won't lie, I'd appreciate the c-company," Marigold adds, glancing at her ever-exuberant friend.
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Ryan accepts JJ and Kikinnin's praise with a slight nod "Abadar's mercies upon you both."
speaking with Marigold specifically, but any of the others listening.
"Karuphon is no longer the only one who can travel between the planes, I can transport myself and 7 others between Cauldron and Occipitus. Abadar has graced me with many mercies when it comes to traveling between points either on this plane or between the planes as may be required. To return here though requires a fork tuned to this plane. Can you provide us such a implement."
"Um, I d-dunno. M-maybe?" Marigold replies, feeling a little embarrassed. "Wh-what would it take to m-make one that's attuned to Occipitus?"
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"Well... See it Kikinnin! See it!!! We learnt about this Adimarchus!!! He is a Demon Lord! But he is a fallen angel too!!! Exotic combination eh!?" Juraan smiles at Kikinnin excitedly and seems frustrated as the dwarf stubbornness does not accept the idea to come in "There is something about his nature and the nature of Occipitus itself! You see now?! Kaurophon said the Cagewrights seek to restore Adimarchus and everything they have done to Cauldron is to that end! This place and Cauldron are somehow connected by this Adimarchus and his fate!!! The more we know about Adimarchus the more we know on how to stop the Cagewrights!" then looking back to Marigold he nods "I will stay behind with you little sister!!!"
As questioned by Ryan, Marigold starts to wonder on how to provide. Once Ryan explains about the nature of what an attuned fork might look like, the halfling is able to pick a bone piece from the Skull's walls, at her will the piece transmutes into a little bone fork. As soon as the fork is used as a focus, the plane shift spell shall let Ryan return within Occipitus Skull, or at least close to it.
"Thank you, now we shall be able to come and go as needed."
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Maxim puffs on his stogie, deep in thought, as planar plans are discussed.
As Kikinnin examines the headband, he nods;
"Take it bror. Will add glamour to yer beard, an' draw eyes away from my own gilded locks!"
When Juraan presents a theoretical notion on Occipitus and its history, he frowns chiming in his own thoughts;
"So this Adimarchus was good, then fell from grace? That what yer sayin' Professor? Sorto' like Lil Miss here... salt o' the earth an' our beatin' heart... now with an eye that smokes more than me... Exotic combination indeed... So is Marigold here chosen to restore the good, or destined to be corrupted like this Demon Lord?"
The end of his stogie flares cherry red as he ponders his own words;
"Iffin' its the latter, then we can't let that occur. Need to fight fir our Lil' Miss, just like we fight fir any one o' us."
"Th-that...that makes sense," Marigold responds slowly, something finally clicking into place. "It would m-match up with the d-dreams I've been having. B-but I still don't know if I'm s-supposed to b-be...um...s-some sort of reincarnation of Adimarchus or if m-maybe just part of a p-pattern that's supposed to repeat itself..."
She shivers; neither of those options were particularly appealing.
"B-but I can't l-let anything p-pull me down...n-not after...after S-Sarenrae put her t-trust in me!"
Kikinnin hears Juraan put a finer point on their side journey to Occipitus. "So. A demon lord, and a black organization trying to punch him back up to snuff. Makes you wonder why the fallen angel ever gave up Occipitus in the first place. Seeing it strengthen the lass..." Kikinnin doesn't finish his thought, as he looks Marigold over, before turning away respectfully.
"Does it help us understand Marigold's Mark, any better? Is the Mark something tied to the Tests of Occipitus? Did Kaurophon see the Mark, before he died?" The black beard holds up, still mentally fatigued from the recent wash of events.
"That is an interesting idea... but Terram has one as well." notes JJ.
"and didn't.... hmm... I'm sure we have seen someone else with it too."
When the conversation turns to home, he still looks conflicted. "I don't like leaving you here alone... but I guess if Jurann is staying as well."
A grin crosses his face. "Make sure he doesn't let you paint the place pink."
He sighs, humour gone again "I need to see if uncle Alek is okay, and what is happening at Redgorge."
"Y-yeah...everyone is p-probably wondering what's b-become of us," Marigold agrees. "And p-pink? C-come on, you know I l-like blue and s-silver better," she chuckles.
"Kikinnin,.... JJ must be a bit sick, perhaps I should check for a fever. After everything settled down I would have thought he'd be heading back to the fields to release a few more angels from the pods, with Maxim dutifully releasing any captured celestial hardware." Ryan calls out with a grin and a wink, trying to lighten the mood a bit, he's no happier that Marigold will stay behind even with Juraan staying as well.
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"Maxim's playing the long game, if he's gonna secure his rights to trade routes with Occipitus. JJ's already chewing mints for his return to Redheads, uh, I mean Redgorge." Kikinnin returns Ryan's grin, though it's mainly seen in his cheeks.
Kikinnin ties the Headband on, which seems to take the red out of his cheeks, and smooths the skin. Makes him look less of a beer enthusiast, which in turn might encourage folks to take him more seriously in a deep discussion sitting at the barstools.
The black beard turns to halfling lass. "If we're to take our leave of Occipitus, and you to stay awhile, I would rest easier knowing that you rid this place of some of the less desirables. With us still here, we could help, you know. We could start with the mummy..."
"Th-that's probably not a b-bad idea either, especially if I c-can't just send them somewhere else..." Marigold agrees softly, feeling a bit awkward for some reason about planning the mummy's demise while it stands right there in the room with them.
Maybe I can figure out how to designate a new proctor? Or maybe make one?
______________
The proctor says plainly in a cold tone that carries no feeling "Be aware my Lady that I will carry your orders as you command, but I will by no doubt defend myself if my existence is at danger"
"The proctor or proctors as the case may be, seem to be administrators to Occipitus and by default the test of ascension. Have they done anything untoward our group? We are no longer on our own plane, but one of the abyss. I'd be surprised if something more normal was found here based on the inhabitants we've encountered so far."
"Marigold is part and parcel of Occipitus now, from what she has explained, the plane itself will bend to her whims as she grows stronger in controlling it. And with time and effort she can raise it from the abyss back into a plane of itown or perhaps to even as far as Celestia again."
Kikinnin slowly turns on the priest, his gaze all but bloodless. "Same thing we said about Kaurophon. If they don't raise a hand to us, they're worthy of Abadar's mercy? Is that what you're saying, Ryan?"
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Same thing we said about Kaurophon. If they don't raise a hand to us, they're worthy of Abadar's mercy? Is that what you're saying, Ryan?
Shaking his head in the negative Ryan continues. "No, that not it exactly. I'm saying that were not in Cauldron anymore. At home the bear and the lion are both predators, in the right instance they will kill a man without remorse. If that man has traveled to the wilds and lost his life in the bear's hollow or the pride's savannah, then we do not blame the bear or lion for being evil. Yet if they come to our town or farm and begin to kill the livestock or our family they are considered evil.
We came to this plane, if we kill it's inhabitants out of fear of what they might do, how are we any less evil?"
JJ notes the words, feeling a little more on side with Kikinnin on this topic.
"Proctor, are you a product of this plane of existence?" he asks.
"That is, if the nature of the plane were to change, would you change with it?"
"Adimarchus gave me a new life. I have long time ago forgotten about my past identity " the proctor offers a succinct answer to JJ's question.
"No, that's not it, exactly. I'm saying that we're not in Cauldron anymore. At home, the bear and the lion are both predators. In the right instance, they will kill a man without remorse. If that man has traveled to the wilds and lost his life in the bear's hollow or the pride's savannah, then we do not blame the bear or lion for being evil. Yet if they come to our town or farm and begin to kill the livestock or our family they are considered evil. We came to this plane, if we kill its inhabitants out of fear of what they might do, how are we any less evil?"
Kikinnin holds his tongue, as Ryan lays out his take on the nature of Evil, and the respect to be held for it. When JJ inquires with the mummy, he feels his frustration deepen. Why are they so intent on seeing if Evil could change, somehow. It's Evil, Abadar, and they hesitated. And they may still hesitate...
"Now, I followed you through your story of the bear and lion, up until you blamed the animals for killing, which in their very nature, they're expected to do to survive. In their caves, or on the farms, it makes no difference. You lose me altogether when you try to call a mummy an animal. Let me try and bring it some reason I can understand."
"If you have yourself a rabid dog, you can't let it go on its way if it doesn't bite you. It can bite the child down the street, or another animal, which will spread the disease. You have to put it down for the risk it represents." Kikinnin waits a moment to look for light behind Ryan's eyes. "There's no fear here, only duty."
"You wouldn't think twice about slaying a lesser undead. Is that it? This proctor here speaks, so you want to overlook its very nature?" The black beard stuffs down a couple of choice words, looking over his mind's library for a better argument. When he finds one, he continues.
"Miss Marigold, if you see value in further conversation with the proctor, to learn what it knows of Occipitus, I'll not argue with leaving it alone for now. For your new knowledge of Occipitus, do you have a full understanding for the amount of Evil creatures and Good creatures that still roam the plane? You're in charge here. If you think none of the Evil roaming this land will raise a hand against you, then I'll have to accept that assurance."
That being said, Kikinnin levels a gaze at Ryan that suggests that the conversation regarding his leniency on the undead is far from over. It will wait for another time.
Maxim listens and mulls, before offering his own take;
"Like my bror here says... Undead have risen 'gainst death fir whatever notion. These Proctors might well have been turned 'gainst their will, or not. Bottom line they are evil an' Lil' Miss needs to be mindful o' such."
The gun-mage takes a puff of his stogie, then continues;
"Conversely, these deaders are untiring and bound to serve. Makes 'em a good workforce fir their new management. My take? Use 'em 'til such time as they ain't useful no more."
"I d-don't know b-but I'll try and f-find out," Marigold says as she focuses her mind, trying to determine a rough estimate - if not the exact number - of souls currently dwelling within Occipitus and what their innermost natures are.
"M-Maxim has a point though...the p-proctor hasn't raised a h-hand against us and I'm st-starting to think that he c-can't unless it's to defend him-s-self," she adds. "I know that d-doesn't account for all of the other c-creatures still on this p-plane but I th-think that for n-now, if I don't b-bother them then they won't b-bother me. And if any of them could p-pass the Tests...they p-probably would've already d-done so by now."
"B-but I p-promise that if anything h-happens that I d-don't think I can handle...I'll b-bring myself to C-Cauldron. I can d-do that on my own, th-thankfully. It's just g-getting back to here that would b-be the hard part."
JJ offers Marigold a hug.
"Don't worry Marigold. When I'm back in Cauldron, I'll check out the library again and see if there are any clues in there about how you might manipulate a plane. Though I doubt there are many creatures in the history of the multiverse who have had that particular power.."
He addresses the Proctor.
"Proctor. If Marigold is attacked, can/will you aid her?"
Earlier in response to Kikinnin
If you have yourself a rabid dog, you can't let it go on its way if it doesn't bite you. It can bite the child down the street, or another animal, which will spread the disease. You have to put it down for the risk it represents.
Ryan realizes that Kikinnin's view is definitely more black and white on the subject of the undead proctor but make one final attempt to clarify his previous comment for the paladin.
" You state that a rabid dog should be put down and I have no argument against that, I'll gladly help you do it; however your argument in general isn't so different from what I said originally about the bear or the lion.""Dogs are often our companions from the small lap dog a lady might carry about with her to the wolfhound and mastiff that hunt for us or guard our homes, yet all of them from the littlest to the largest have the ability to bite the hand that feeds it, and we still use them to be our companion or work for us. Once they turn on us, become rabid, then we treat them different and move to protect those we love. Same as we would with a big cat or bear that lost their fear of civilization and come down from the mountain or in from the savannah and attack those within the town and farmstead."
"Good and evil come in varying shades, call one who is completely good pure white, while one who is wholly evil would be solid black, the others will fall in between because if you add even one drop of black to the pure white it's no longer pure white and vice versa, and likely right now you believe I'm more grey that you are. I just don't wish to kill the proctor for something it might do in the future but has shown no evidence of doing now, I've been taught to build the city and there are times that for the good of the city, possibly the plane in this instance, those who are not wholly good are needed to get the work done."
later speaking to Marigold
B-but I p-promise that if anything h-happens that I d-don't think I can handle...I'll b-bring myself to C-Cauldron. I can d-do that on my own, th-thankfully. It's just g-getting back to here that would b-be the hard part.
"No worries Marigold, I can bring you back and all of us can come as well. Probably would be good to pick up a scroll of Sending if one is not available on this plane. That way you an contact us if a full trip back to Cauldron is not necessary."
Kikinnin hears both sides of Maxim's wisdom, easily taking one over the other, and figures Marigold will be measured by the effect she has over Occipitus. The flame in her socket still bothers him, though the feeling is vague and hard to describe.
When Ryan responds, Kikinnin listens respectfully, nodding to his first point. When the priest begins to describe Good and Evil as colored paints, the black beard rubs his side burn, slowly coming to the decision to leave the last word to Ryan, while they still stand in Occipitus. He starts to wonder what effect is insinuating itself into each of them for their time on the demon plane.
"Well, let's be off. No telling what we'll find upon our return."
"OK, Shall we head to Cauldron or Redgorge first? The elves took Alek back to Jenya in Cauldron, but things were changing dramatically when we came to Occipitus. If we go to Redgorge I can teleport us to CAuldron in 1 or 2 jumps."
"D-don't worry...I'll be f-fine," Marigold responds as she returns JJ's hug. "I'll have J-Juraan to keep me c-company and there's S-Saureya too...and there's p-plenty to do. There m-might be more angels t-trapped out in the P-Plain of Cysts so that s-seems like a good p-place to start as any!"