This is a non-Campaign to Test Stuff

Game Master Tacticslion

Skipping some content I'd originally had planned - real life is tough, you guys! Anyway, getting back to the meat of the story... that tragedy that defines three-ish adventurers a very, very long time ago...

Inarus focuses deep into his own mind, finding the strong, steady pulse of Usawoti's well-constructed mental map. Using that, he works at teleporting back, only to find his way... restricted, somehow.

Through guess-work, trial, and quite some error, he soon discovers that teleportation across short distances is possible (~1,600 ft. or so), so long as he accounts for the distances of the hallway within that.

We're not currently using battle-maps so it is unlikely that said distance will come into too much play. I'm giving you the information that your characters would understand and experience, not necessarily information you need to keep track of each round - though, if it does come up, it's worth noting that it takes time. That said, Inarus' dimension door ability works at its normal limit and is the only method by which he can bring others. Also, the walls of this place are solid to you, even if you're incorporeal.

The radiant, incorporeal dragon slips through the corridors he's seen, and covers the battlegrounds they've discovered - back to the two-way-split, back to the five-fold passage, turn right, and head up the way you came from, and finally to the base of a long, slanted shaft. Heading upward, the dragon finds there are powerful vortex-level wind-currents attempting to keep him down - even as he teleports upward, the powerful gusts of wind shove him back downward.

Links are places to begin/refresh yourself on the places mentioned, not exhaustive descriptions of the locations.

Even fully incorporeal, the wind and pressure drag-on* him, pulling him down into a spiral vortex, and attempting to squeeze him into submission, pulling back into the sin for which he has sunk with the element he has been invested within.

... and yet, he feels the power of sin - and ancient lost virtue - surge through him, as he has personally mastered and conquered not one, but two of these levels (and may even possess the ability to conquer a third one day), thrumming with the elemental and spiritual power from them. With this authority, power, and essence, he pushes onward, shoving himself upward, slipping the bonds of reality, and reentering them, moving impossibly slowly forward and upward.

* Hah!

After an excruciatingly long amount of time, the winds tearing at him, attempting to rip him from the wall (or, barring that, simply rip him apart, though he seems hardy enough to ignore this), Inarus manages to get to the top of the shaft, gripping the smooth surface, and, calling to mind the virtues (take 10 knowledge check, "correcting" the sins into their virtue form patterns, by softly tracing the missing parts. The hatch opens, and he manages to wriggle his way free of the sealed hole, sliding through, only to find that the seal closes behind him.

The dragon stands, once again on that plateau that he seems to have last been at months ago, even though it has only truly been days. Indeed, time flows... oddly, here.

It seems things have remained the same since he was last here.

Breathing carefully, Inarus begins the journey back. Going down is... much easier than going up, it seems.

He arrives quickly, to the bottom, then retraces his steps to Usawoti once again.

'What the heck is all this?' Inarus curses at the fiendish winds, even though he knows they can't answer him. 'This is not good news - if I have to bring along passengers - would the wind sweep them away?'

Would the wind sweep my passengers I'm ddooring around away? Basically - is it safe to bring along others? Knowledge whatever necessary to find out.

As he retraces his steps, he wonders to himself, 'Is that the nature of sin, that it is so easy to sink in rather then get out off?'

'If I can't get anyone except myself out - what will happen when the level finally destabilizes?' He thinks to himself worriedly.

'Need to have everyone ready to go as soon as Inarus gets back.' Usawoti continues directing the Mephits. "Gather as much food as you can carry, when Inarus returns we will be leaving with him." telling the two named ones "Chandruu, Yalagch Keep these others focused and nearby, we have to be ready to leave in a moments notice."

'Need to have everyone ready to go as soon as Inarus gets back.' Usawoti continues directing the Mephits. "Gather as much food as you can carry, when Inarus returns we will be leaving with him." telling the two named ones "Chandruu, Yalagch Keep these others focused and nearby, we have to be ready to leave in a moments notice."

Spurred on by their glorious Name-Giver, the mephits work as efficiently as they can, organized by Chandruu and Yalagch.

They are all ready and secured by the time the wind-ruffled Inarus returns.

”We have a problem.” Inarus announces. ”I’ve been buffeted by spectral winds, which by the laws of nature are not supposed to be affecting me since I’m technically not of this world, now.” He taps a spectral claw on the stone floor, expecting to hear the clicking sound but there is no sound. ”And of course, on other times, when the laws of nature are not supposed to affect me, they don’t.” There’s a note of disgruntlement in his voice. ”Nevertheless, I do NOT fancy fighting through the wind currents carrying passengers. Best case, we get nowhere. Worst case, god knows where we get swept to. If you could do something about the winds, it would be helpful. Then I can try to haul all of us out of here.”

”The passage back appears to be safe. And I have come to believe that it is better to drop everyone in the centre shaft. They are safer there then they are with us.”

After a brief telepathic discussion with Usawoti, mostly involving his Usawoti buggering him, Inarus, despite his better judgement, asks the Lady, telepathically on what she knows about about the level called "Heaven".

You, uh... you might want to roll some persuasive something... you know?

Take 10 for 32 diplo

’We should be out of this tunnel soon. We will be able to fetch Shuvuu and find the key. Then leave this place. It will be good to get back to YeYe’ As inarus departed to find a way out Usawoti’s thoughts lingered as he relied on the acute senses and keep watch spells given by the gentle soul Quigaz’ir’Eter.

’It is time to keep a promise.’ After keeping watch for a time Usawoti stretchs, feeling refreshed he goes to his pack and removes the air Mephit which was missing both its wings and tail. Placing the creature on his lap, he touched it gently on it’s shoulder casting Regenerate. Holding the Air Mephit up as it wings and tail grows back, releasing it he smiles and tells it: ”Your name is Agaar.”

When Inarus returns Usawoti listens carefully to his explanation of the winds, nodding his head in agreement. ”I think your right, the central shaft should be our first objective.”

He shrugs his shoulders, ”If the Mephits want to wait for us there it is fine, I promised we would free them from this place and I still mean it. However if they want to go with us back into the tunnels I believe that is their choice.”

Nodding his head toward the sleeping dragon, ”I would still like to figure out how to turn this big lug into a useful ally.”

Putting his hand to his chin, ”I may be able to figure something out about the wind eventually, but that wouldn’t be my first preference.”

Pointing down the long hall ”I’m sure one of these other tunnels feed back out into the main shaft. I would still like to ask The Quiet Gazer more about Heaven, if you and she are so inclined.”

"Look - he has the right to choose how he wants to live his life. As long as he's not harming anyone - I wouldn't want to interfere. To ask him to help us may put him in danger. If he chooses to of his own free will, I will accept, but I don't want to encourage anyone to do it and get themselves killed." Inarus argues. "I've seen too much death as it is."

"A point to make is that HE," Inarus points at the sleeping dragon, "wants to go to Heaven. The problem is, I'm not sure if the way there is safe or not, nor what there will be when we get there. The only thing I know about heaven for sure, is that its cold."

"And I don't think Heaven, or what passes for it here, is a perfect paradise. I suspect it's more of a different element, possibly water, and a different sin."

With regard to questions on Heaven for Quiet Gazer

"You're a big nag, you know that?"

'A big nag?' Usawoti gives Inarus his most innocent look, "Me? a big nag?"

Trying to look hurt he continues, "Of course were not going to coerce anyone into going with us against their free will. But the other question: what will happen to the central area if we just release all these mephitis unsupervised?"

He smiles and winks at Chandruu. "Anyway if we help this bronze, maybe he will help us."

Usawoti gathers his pack, making sure the last wounded Mephit is comfortable, "Don't worry, I havn't forgotten you."

He then closes his pack, and calls out to the other Mephits, holding up his hand that the ring/jewelry is on. "Get ready Mephits, Inarus is going to speak to the Quiet Gazer and figure out the best route to get us into Heaven!"

editUsawoti smiles to himself 'No offense my Lady, but Inarus deserved that with all his whining. I hope my sense of humor doesn't offend. If you don't think the route through Heaven is manageable we will find a different way. But I don't think any route will be entirely safe.'

Telepathy

"You want me to find a way to heaven? Even after what Quiet Gazer told us?" Inarus furrows his spectral eyebrows. "I don't know if the way to Heaven is safe. At least the way back is, if the winds can be dealt with. We could tell the mephits to live in peace there, Mope was there and it did him no harm. What if we get our mephits killed on the way to Heaven, or even in Heaven itself? "

’It is time to keep a promise.’ After keeping watch for a time Usawoti stretchs, feeling refreshed he goes to his pack and removes the air Mephit which was missing both its wings and tail. Placing the creature on his lap, he touched it gently on it’s shoulder casting Regenerate. Holding the Air Mephit up as it wings and tail grows back, releasing it he smiles and tells it: ”Your name is Agaar.”

The newly-named Agaar starts in shock, seeing and feeling the missing parts of his flesh return, and looks up in awe as Usawoti... names him.

"I-" he says, "I-I-I-I-" his eyes going wide with an unreadable expression.

Then, leaping into the air, and flying high, he screams, "I'VE GOTTA A ******-******* NAME, YOU ******-*********-******-*******~!" He zooms around, wildly, making various exclamations, like, "YAHOOOOOOOO~!"

After a few minutes of jubilation, while the others discuss things, he finally comes up short, looking shocked! He then flings himself to the ground (unharmed), and proceeds to just kind of clings to Usawoti's boot, thanking him endlessly.

Usawoti gathers his pack, making sure the last wounded Mephit is comfortable, "Don't worry, I havn't forgotten you."

"See?! I'm tellin' ya, this frood, is pract'cly a saint!" says Chandruu to the wounded mephit. The unnamed, wounded one nods, vigorously, agreeing.

"He's just the best ever!" adds Yalagch.

"I'mma follow him anywhere!" notes Agaar.

"... yeah." agrees the wounded mephit - voice soft, but firm with conviction.

He then closes his pack, and calls out to the other Mephits, holding up his hand that the ring/jewelry is on. "Get ready Mephits, Inarus is going to speak to the Quiet Gazer and figure out the best route to get us into Heaven!"

The mephits titter and laugh, a bit.

After a brief telepathic discussion with Usawoti, mostly involving his Usawoti buggering him, Inarus, despite his better judgement, asks the Lady, telepathically on what she knows about about the level called "Heaven".

Usawoti: I'm going to set up a series of Inarus-only spoilers. Depending on which spoiler(s) Inarus chooses (as indicated in Mort's next post), you will receive one (or more) spoiler(s), as well.

If (and only if) Inarus chooses this option, indicated by the post below...

If (and only if) Inarus chooses this option, indicated by the post below...

If (and only if) Inarus chooses this option, indicated by the post below...

"So..." says Yalagch, "is she gonna, y'know, move or anything?" thumbing in the direction of Inarus. "Normally ya gotta move y'r jaw t' talk..."

"I think he's usin' 'is mind-power ta-" starts Agaar.

"(Yeah, I know, tha's th' joke.)" whispers Yalagch.

"(Oh: fair, fair. Heh.)" replies Agaar.

All are waiting on the dragon and/or Usawoti, now.

Option A

He speaks aloud to Usawoti, ”Quiet Gazer does not know anything about the place called Heaven except that the place is imical to her, like how a fire elemental would be uncomfortable in the plane of Water. We will need to find a way to keep her protected from the place’s influence if you should still wish to go there.”

earlier
Usawoti, mildly embarrassed reaches down and pats Agaar on the head, ”Thank you, feel free to let go, a flier like yourself should be in the air, not wrapped around a boot.” Winking at Chandruu, ”Not a saint, Chandruu, Just a wanderer who knows the value of friends.”

now
Attempting to understand the flood of emotions while Inarus and the lady speak, he gives the Mephits a quick glance putting his finger to his lips, he asks ”Please, quiet down, I’m trying to understand this flood of emotions.” ’This is so difficult, I don’t know if it’s just because I see the lady as, well a lady, or if all sentient beings are like this. I’m used to hawks and horses. I mean I care about my family, and my people. But mom and dad said little about emotion and showed even less. Life was tough. We didn’t spend a lot of time worrying about feelings. There were things that needed doing. Now the only way I have to ‘hear’ her is through these sensations. It’s very … odd.’

When Inarus turns and simply explains, Usawoti snorts, ”That was a lot of emotions for ‘I don’t know anything’ and ‘It’s not like me.’” He smiles, and unconsciously pats the piece of jewelry. ”I’m not sure how to proceed but we will certainly protect her if we go there.”

He stops and thinks for a moment. ”Ok. If we don’t know much let’s figure what we do know. When you say it’s not like her, did she explain in what way? What do we know about her nature that we can ascertain about its nature. I understand it’s like water to fire, so what is her base nature, if we know that we know it’s the exact opposite.”

He shakes his head for a moment. ”We know she was a carnivorous plant, but it isn’t that. There is no way the place is a herbivore non-living thing, that would be an oxymoron.”

He scratches his head and looks at Chandruu and asks ”What am I missing?” Then he subconsciously moves his hand from the ring/bracelet to his chest where Mope runs free ’What are we missing Mope?’

Shrugging his shoulders, ”we can try the wind spells that 'the Lady' provides and attempt to go back the way we came. Or we can ask the 'eternal seed' about going the other way past their old home. Or we can wake the sleeping bronze dragon.” He looks at Inarus quickly ”What do we know about bronze dragons, he came from ‘heaven’ originally he said. What about him would make him the opposite of ‘the lady’” Usawoti smiles, ”He certainly isn’t a herbivore.’

what knowledge check for bronze dragons?

"I don't mind going to heaven, but Quiet Gazer must be protected. You just need to know that the place will cause her pain." Inarus answers curtly. 'That's getting too close to talking about a subject I do not wish to talk about'

"Dragons and plants are two different species altogether." He then starts describing the differences between dragons and plants.

Take 10 for 35 knowledge arcana, 33 knowledge nature

Knowledge Arcana for bronze dragons.

When Inarus turns and simply explains, Usawoti snorts, ”That was a lot of emotions for ‘I don’t know anything’ and ‘It’s not like me.’”

E-emote!

He smiles, and unconsciously pats the piece of jewelry. ”I’m not sure how to proceed but we will certainly protect her if we go there.”

emote?

-------

Mope speaks to Usawoti, "I can't say for sure. I just think she may simply be uncomfortable - like walking in a place t'ain't natural for her kind, you know?" ponders the horse-spirit. "Like we felt down in the hell-place. The decor is just... it's just wrong f'r her, y'know?" There is the spiritual equivalent of a shrug. "Then again, I'm a horse. I'unno." he adds, helpfully.

Chandruu clarifies, "Well, **** me, boss, I dunno. I suppose we could jus' try to take her from ya-"

Chandruu's next words are cut off (to Usawoti) by powerful emotional surges.

Emote~!
E-emote.
Emote!

Chandruu, unware, continues unbroken, "-jus' ta hide her in a pocket 're somethin'. 'R maybe jus' let'er grin an' bear it. Not th' nicest thing, I s'pose, but, ****, I'm not sure what ta make 'f all that. I mean, for us mephits, 'z pretty clear when we've run into our opposites, ya know? Smoke an' steam may or may not be different, but they're both th' opposite of ice. Ya know? Th' smoke an' th' ice might both eat meat - an' what else is there, exactly? you said somethin' 'bout eatin' somethin' else? - but they're still th' opposite. They don't kill each other jus' by bein' near 'em, though they might not like it."

eeeeemote?
emote...
e-emote!

Chandruu, still unaware, continues. "Though, y'know, I s'pose i's not up ta me ta guess if it's the same 'r not f'r them! Could be entirely different. I'm prob'ly tot'lly wrong 'bout everythin'."

e-emote
eeemote
eh-mote.

-------

Inarus makes a very thorough breakdown on the differences between plants and dragons.

"I͘ w͞o͠ul̡d ͘n͝ev͝e͡r h̀a͏v̨e͘ t̸hòu̴g͢ht̸ ̡thę d҉i̢ff͟e̕rén͟ce̶s͘ b̀étw҉een͠ ̴d͜raǵons̢ and ̶pl̢a͜nts̛ ̷was ̀on͡e th͞at҉ ne̕ede͢d a *͟*͞****' exṕl̨a͘n͠át̨i̷ơn." notes a nearby, bemused and sleepy brass dragon. "B̀u̸t̵ ̸th͢e͝re ̕a͜r̢e͟ ͝ḿany̢ t͠h͝ing̢ş in t̨ḩis l̛ife ͏I ͢am̕ ig̢n͟o͡r͘a͜n̛t o̶f, ͘so͡ it coul̸d ͏wel̸l b҉e̛ ͠po̷ssi͠bl͏e̡ ̡t͝hey ̴are̕ ̧more̶ ͟si͟m͝i̧la͏r to ̛óther cre͢at͏u͢re̷s҉ ̶th̸a̧n͝ ̧I a̸ntic͏ip̶ated.͢"

It briefly looks over Inarus. "Y̨o͏u a͡pp͞éa͞ŕ.̷.̸. ̶d͢if̵fȩren̶t̢.͢" it finishes.

Upon hearing the suggested course of action, it agrees, readily. "Wél̛l, ̵**̴*̵*,̡ y̕eah.҉ ͟No͟t̀ a ͜h̨a͝rd ͜q̡ue҉s͡t̵ioǹ. ҉I'̀v̴e͘ ͜be͜en wan̴tin' ͟t͟a g͝o҉ ͢ta͝ h͏ea̶v̸en͜ m̨y ̷w͝ho̕le ͝****͞***** ***̷**̡*'͘ ͟l̸if̧e, ̡y̧o͡ư ̴k̀n҉ow̕?" it says.

At Usawoti's persistent tone, it fixes him with an unreadable stare for a moment, before noting, "Buţ,͝ y̴es;̶ ̢I'͘ll͢ ͏go̢ ̴fa͠r̕t͘her wi̷t̷h͢ ҉yo̡u, ̢too, ҉if t̷h͜at'͡s ̀ẃh͜at y̶ou ne̴e͜d.͏"

The large head cocks itself to the side. "Af͏t҉er͢ ̷a̸ll, ͝làdy͜ ̴ha̧s to ̛h͞a͜ve ͞h͠er̢ p͏rio͞ŕities͢ right, ̛y͢a ̢kno͘w?͡ ̛Els͞e͠ ̸s̢he ̨c̨an't cal҉l ҉h͏e͡r̛self͝ a̕ *̛**̡*͠*҉**̀*̧*̕ ̶la҉dy.͢" Then it shows a large row of teeth. A... grin. Yes. "'̸Sid̸es. I ͜kno̡w͡ i͟t'͝d tic̡k̢ óff͞ ͝bìg ̵gréen͜, ̀and i̕f͢ t̶h͢ere͝'̴s ąn͢yth̕i͟ng͜ t͝h͢at wou̢ld̶ ͘tic̛k ̷off t͡ha̕t̶ ͠***͡***͟**̵**͏**͝, ͘I'ḿ *̛**̷**̡*͜' th͢eŗe,̛ ya͝ ̡kn͜ow?̸" she jokes.

[urlhttps://media.giphy.com/media/bldbGnPJiJwli/giphy.gif]... [i]emote[/url]?
...
eeemote
emote...
eh-mote.

I’m assuming since Usawoti and Mope are communicating using thought that it’s instantaneous. So even though I listed my question for Mope last the dialog is happening the fastest.

’The décor is just wrong, huh? Well, you may be just a horse but at least I understand the analogy. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, but if it’s a way out of here then we need to consider it.’ Usawoti turns to listen to Mope

’Stay calm, he doesn’t mean it like that.’ Feeling the ‘Ladies’ reaction when Chandruu took a breath between ‘take’ and ‘pocket’ Usawoti smiles, as the Mephit and the emotions continues. ’I don’t know which of all of us have more to learn.’ Usawoti smiles as Chandruu’s explanations of ‘opposites’ transitions to food not being meat.

Before Usawoti can explain Inarus expounds on his knowledge of the physical differences of dragons and dandelions…

’Calls herself a Lady, what an odd sensation, just when I thought I was understanding better. There really must be some way I can gain telepathy. Or a wish spell, I wonder what would happen if I used restore on her…’ As the dragon speaks up and discusses ‘being a lady’ and then irritating his former master. Usawoti is assailed with more confusing emotions. But he lifts his hand for all to be silent.

Looking to his friend and fellow key-searcher. ”I know the physical differences between plants and dragons, one has petals the other scales. I was talking about the brass dragons traditional perception of the world. Good or bad, orderly or random. If we could know what the traditional nature of the dragon in that sense, then we would know the nature of ‘heaven’” He rolls his eyes at his frined. ”Everyone know dragons prefer a bed of gold treasure and plants prefer a bed of dirt and nutrients.”
Looking at the bronze dragon, Usawoti explains. ”We appreciate you being willing to continue on the other direction. Let me explain a few things before you agree to accompany us.” Usawoti makes a sweeping gesture at the hallways. ”We know that these tunnels are all part of a larger structure. That they are made in the shape of Runes that have magical meaning. The runes represent different elements and different ‘sins.’ For instance, the rune we entered and Inarus tried to return through is Wind and Gluttony which was inhabited by hungry air elementals. We believe the level that was called ‘hell’ was flame and wrath which was inhabited by….” Usawoti stops and ponders for a moment. ”I believe he said his name was ‘ Posubaesnes-Noztonaniel-Gulzar-Jahangir, Suzerain of Flame and’ something or other. Anyway that’s why I’m asking these questions about the nature of heaven.” He stops talking for a moment and takes a quick look at the dragon. ’Is he in good enough shape to travel…I just assumed it’s a he, I wonder…’

heal check: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38 is the dragon hale and whole, can Usawoti tell if it’s a boy dragon or a girl dragon? Without being too obtrusive and not super familiar with dragon anatomy.

Continuing his discourse. ”The nature of heaven is not that important, but I need to explain about the nature of this place so you can make an educated decision.” Looking from the dragon to the mephitis, then to Inarus and back to the dragon. ”You see the whole place: All the rune shaped hallways and the main shaft we want to return to are all a large magical machine that uses the conflict and sin that goes on here to draw power from. There is a ‘key’ to this place. We have been sent to get it. But this place is ultimately a prison. I propose that if you help us find this key that we are looking for that when we leave you may go with us. Not only from this place, but also from the land that it sets in and back with us to our dimension.”

He looks at Inarus and then back to the dragon. ”You see we were sent here to find a princess. What we found were two warring factions. Fighting each other for a few Islands and this structure. Each side hoping to control it. One faction is ran by the princess we came to find and a coven of witches. The other faction was lead by…” Usawoti holds up the ring/bracelet ”By our friend Quigaz’ir’Eter, well not lead totally by her, but lead by her sisters and her. That was before she was transformed into this. Her original form was a plant monster thing, called an Alraune. When she followed us, she was somehow turned into a dwiergeth and then this piece of jewelry. Now what’s odd is that she, as a magical piece of jewelry, lets me turn into both these shapes. That’s how I know what they are. What I don’t know, is if she could just turn into them and her original form was something else or not.” He sighs a little. ”She can’t talk to me because I don’t have telepathy. So all I get are these odd wonderful sensations caused by her emotions.” Usawoti looks from the dragon to the mephitis. ’I think I shared more than I meant to, at least I didn’t gush on about Ye Ye.’

”Anyway I didn’t mean to ramble. This machine isn’t safe for you. The islands outside of it, where the war is going on, isn’t going to be necessarily safe either. What I’m proposing is you help us and we take you back to Golarion with us. It will be safe there.” Usawoti looks hard at Inarus. ’We will find a safe place for Inarus, no matter what shape he is in. Even if we need to sail all of Golarion to do it. May as well find a home where this bronze will be safe too, everyone will assume his is good.’ ”After we return Home you can stay with us or make your own way. That’s the offer we’re making. Now you can go on your own way to heaven. Or you can stop and stay anyplace you like between here and our final destination. But if you come with us we expect not just your loyalty but your friendship. To us and our companions.”

’well, I probably said more than I needed to. Oh yeah.’ Usawoti reaches into his pack, just past the resting dust mephit and pulls a large piece of cheese out of his pack. First breaking of a small piece and giving it to the dust mephit. ”here you may as well try some too.” Turning toward the mephitis, breaking off pieces, giving the first three pieces to Chandruu, Yalagch and Agaar and then the rest to the others. ”Something other than meat? Lets start with it’s kissing cousin. This is cheese, it is made from the milk of one of the animals I like to eat. It’s delicious with meat!”

As he feeds the Mephits, ’Quiet Gazer, I know you understand me, and I don’t quite understand everything I feel from you. But there are spells in our world that can be purchased to return you to your original shape. We could buy a wish scroll, and do that. We could buy two and return you to your people. You’re a sentient being. Heck, we could turn you into anything you want to be and let you go anywhere you want to go. We.. I, want you to be free to do what you want as much as I want that for the others. So like them you also get a choice. In this form or a different one. But that will take some time. So be patient with us. I appreciate the magic you offer in this shape but we will not leave you imprisoned as jewelry.

Usawoti turns to Inarus. ”I either said too much or not enough. But we will wait for the dragon to decide if it is with us or staying here. Or if it wants to go partway. We need to wake the Eternal seed and find out what is on the other side of it’s old lair.”

It... it could be... and maaayyybe seems like a female dragon, though... it's pretty hard to tell for sure. You know, without being a dragon or poking at it. That last one would probably be uncomfortable, and may well end up with you getting the equivalent of slapped - which means rent and bitten?

Also, my head is throbbing like a mule, right now, so I'll skip the Qui'Gaz'Er's responses and note that the brass dragon acknowledges what you're saying and maintains its (her?) previous note of solidarity.

More later... I hope!

”Yes I am different. I’m mostly spirit now. There was a price for what I did…”Inarus sighs heavily.

”I will tell you the truth – I do not think that Heaven is what you perceive of it – my guess is that it is just another layer of sin. So don’t get your hopes too high up.” Inarus warns the brass dragon. ’I don’t want her to be disappointed when Heaven isn’t up to her expectations’

Inarus gives an experimental swallow. ”Would you be willing to help us out to get to heaven?” ’Because help must be given freely and willingly’

”My current form is…not very combat capable.” He admits grudgingly.

Inarus, are we going to speak to 'eternal seed' about what is on the other side of their lair before we decide?

I think it's all bad so I'll pass. Since it ate mephits. Druther not pick a fight as an incorp

violent towards all things not-air; anything of flesh, plant, or "heavy" physicality (i.e. neither fundamentally similar to an air elemental or in a form similar to one) is to be crushed and shredded as fast as possible to leave things as pristine as possible; nevermind that all similar attempts are fundamentally flawed and will fail, now the the Great Project (this forested area) has been successfully established

The dragon and mephits listen intently to Usawoti.

After he's done talking about danger, the dragon leans down, her wide face near the draconic side of his own.

"D̨aǹg͘èr̕?" she laughs. "Yoú ͟m͝i͟sunde̕rs̵tan̕d̸ m͟e͟,̧ ̶my ne̡w͠ ̡fr͠ien͘d. Dan͏g̶er͏ is͜ no̢t͜ some̶t̨h̵i̴nģ ͟I ͟a͟m ͢ún̶f̧am̢il̸i̢ar wi҉t̵h͢.̶ No,҉ ́it ̷i͘s ̢a͡ ͟c͡o̢mf͘o͘r̴t͝ing,͝ f͏ąm̨i͏l͢i͏ar p̵re̛s͡ence͘. ͜S̕afety is͏ t͏h͝e ̕ali̡en̸ ̶c͠on̨c̕e҉p̸t̶ ̢t̡o̴ ͟one ̛s͏ucḩ ̛as̀ ͏I͡. H̛o͘ly͝ ̴******͟**͝*͝**̴*̢' *̷**͠*̕-͟****̨*,́ ͜I'm͝ ̵pŕac͞tįca̧l̵ly͟ ̀li̸t͟tl̕e m̷o͡r̷e̸ ͢t͢h͘an҉ ̶a ͜*̡*͠**͢*͘**͘*̶* ͜fav̨ored ͜p̕e҉t̨-cu҉m̴-̴*̨*̕****͝***͢***'͝-͠experiment͝ ͏f̸òr ͡m͝y͘ o͟nc̴e̢-̧mas͜te̸r;͢ **̀*͠*, ͢I ̧on͝l͞y l͡iv҉e̕d ̡a̛t̕ ҉his̶ ͘w͝him͝, ҉and̛ ̵un̡d͢e̢r͟ ́hiş tyr̸a̵nn͏i͜c͢al ̸t̷h́umb҉.̀ ̀No, ͡th͘e *̛*͏*̸***' p͟ro҉phecy h̴as͞ bee͟n sṕok͏èn,̧ ͞an̕d ͘i͢t ̕is̡ p̡ro̴ve͡n ͟t́rưe. I͝ ̛s̢ha̧l͘l̶ ́as̨cend ̛t̵o ̨se҉e͏ thi͘ş ́***͢**̢*͞**́*̛ h̢e͜ąv̨en҉,͡ t̷ak͏e̵n̨ t̛he̷re b̕y͘ ͜y͢o̷u,̧ and͠ ͞w͘ill͢ ͜fo̶l̸low ̢yoú ͏t͘o ̸th͞e͏ e͝nds̕ of̧ t̴his̵ ͘w̡or̕ĺd͝ ̢aǹd͜ ҉bey͜o̴n͘d."

The entire speech is filled with a mirth - a ticked humor - but also a zealous fire, and hard-edged will.

"H̛a̢v͟e̸ ̛no *̡*̶*̶*****̨* f̢ea͜r̛,̡ whíte͝-̷fac̵ed̵ one, ́Í sha͏n̢'͠t b͏etr͞a̕y you͠,̸ o͝r ̵y̛o͜ur͢ ͏f̸rien̡d̛s̶. I͢ ͠will ́achi̶e̸v̧e my͘ ̢dre̕am̢,̡ ànd hel͢p̛ ͘y҉óu a͝chi͞eve ̶y̛o̶ur̛s,͠ ̡to t͢he bęs̵t o͞f my ̀abi̕l͟iţy.̵" she says, still grinning with rows of dragon teeth, but more serious than before.

-------

To Usawoti's introduction of "cheese" the mephits are both skeptical, and then... thrilled.

"Holy ****. HOLY ****" says Chandruu. "I no longer ******' care if you are only doing this to fatten me up and eat me, so long as I can eat this meat, I'm ******' gonna be so ********* ******' happy when I die, I don't care."

"Oh! Oh! Oh, ****-**, yes!" delights Yalagch, "It's so gooooooooooooooood-" she coos.

"May I jus' say," weeps Agaar, "That y'r only fault is ya keep denyin' bein' a ******-******' saint!"

The rest of the mepthits, fiendish or not, tend to agree with their newly-named defacto leaders.

When combined with other meat? They may as well have achieved a heavenly paradise.

-------

As he feeds the Mephits, ’Quiet Gazer, I know you understand me,

emote...?

and I don’t quite understand everything I feel from you.

emote...

But there are spells in our world that can be purchased to return you to your original shape. We could buy a wish scroll, and do that. We could buy two and return you to your people. You’re a sentient being. Heck, we could turn you into anything you want to be and let you go anywhere you want to go. We.. I, want you to be free to do what you want as much as I want that for the others. So like them you also get a choice. In this form or a different one. But that will take some time. So be patient with us. I appreciate the magic you offer in this shape but we will not leave you imprisoned as jewelry.

... e-...emote...

-----------

I'm afraid my emotes for this particular section have to wait, or else will be sparse. My internet is terrible right now (I am having trouble uploading a single picture) - it's been ten minutes, and it's still loading), so unless that finishes or my internet connection strengthens before I post, some of Quiet Gazer's emotes might not... be here. Sorry! Hoping this post goes through...

Inarus watches with bemusement as the mephits undergo various states of rapture over food. 'I wonder what would happen if we introduced them to honey...' Then he feels a surge of sadness. 'I don't think it was fair for any of them to have being denied life's simple pleasures. Maybe when we're out of here we can fix that.'

"Let's hope my fears are unfounded and it never has to happen." Inarus answers the dragon. "I don't think we were ever properly introduced. My name is Inarus, and my partner is Usawoti. Those are his mephits - Chandruu, Yalagch and Agaar." Out of curiosity he asks the mephits, "What have you had to eat thus far?"

Sir, the emote's are amazing, do not worry about so many!

'Inarus, the dragon, a chorus of mephitis, the Eternal Seed and our Quite Gazer.' we have quite the ensemble. Does that mean were going to heaven without even speaking to the 'seed'?

Not wanting to interrupt the dragon introducing herself and interested to see what the Mephits have actually eatine, Usawoti waits to see if Inarus wants to speak to the Eternal Seed before they determine their route.

ES has already told us that way lies bad things so I won't be asking them about it.

To Eternal Seeds telepathically

"Do you know anything about the place called Heaven and do you mind us going there?"

Usawoti suddenly receives a stray emote!

This is unrelated to the July 7th post I said I may have to expand. There may well be no context for this for you guys; if not, don't worry. This is it's own thing. I will probably just skip that July 7th post, and try to keep with current picture updates.

Sorry! And thanks!

-------------------

In response to Inarus' introduction, the dragon bows - and to his question, the dragon pulls up one side of its mouth, revealing long rows of teeth. It's... a wry smile.

"Y̕ơùr ͞in̷te҉l͠li͜ge͢n͘c͠e҉ i̴s͘ s͘t̢rong͝ ҉a̧n͝d̵ cļear." she responds, "..̨. ́a͡s is҉ ̸th̶e ́al̴i̴e͜n͏n͢ess of ͝yo̷u t͢o this place̴."

A claw is waved through the air, dismissively, but also in a friendly manner.

"Thoug͠h̴ qui͠t͜e in̕t̵elli͘ge̴n͠t͢, ̀you̸ c̴l͠ea͠rl͜y ̕d͝ò n̷o̢t und̸e̛rstan̛d҉ us ơr ͟òu͜r̨ ̡me̡t҉h̷od ̶of̛ şu͝r͝v̶i̷v͟al.̷ ̷We ͢ha͝v͢e̡ ̀tw҉o ͡ch̛oìce̛s͟ ̸h͏ere͝: ̴eat, o͠r ̴s͘tárv͢e a̶n͞d ͡t͢h͘en̨ ͠b̵e ͝ęa̸t̴e͞n. Wę ͞h̀a͢ve no na͟m҉es̛ un̵til ͏w͠e ̧ea͠rn҉ th͠em a͜nd͞ a̴r̡e͝ ̢gr͘àn̡t̡e͡d t̴h́e͠m̶ b̨y ͘a ̀ḩi͜g͏he̕r̨ ͝p̴ơwer͞.͞ N̴o̕w͠ tha̷t ̀I͡ am̶ frȩe̕, I̡ ͘a̕m ̧t͡hát̕ ̧hi̕ghe͜r͡ ̴p̷oẁer, ̡and͟ tḩưs͟ ̧I ͏re͠na͟me ̛my̛se̴l̴f - ̕no̡ l̵òn̵gèr ̀"sl̸ave" ͘or ̡o͏the͠r s̡u͞ćh ͢e͟pith̢ȩts, ͡I҉ am ͞n̵o̴w͡ 'Um̴eru̡s-Te͜elk̴t̸e͏m̛'̛d͏as͟ser'͘ -̛ t̡ha̕t̕ ͘i̛s̀ Eurph͢e̢m̢ia ͡i҉n y̧o̵ur parĺan̶ce̸ -͡" she says, amused, eyeing Inarus, "o̶r͜.̢.. 'Iya͠-̧iy̕a̕'̸ ̡t̷ho͞uǵh͞ ̨o̧n͢ly̸ ͏to my ̛t̢rue̵ ̡fri͡e̶n͝d̡s. ̴Wo͜u͘ld̀ t̀h͢o͜s̢e͜ ͘b̨e͏ ̸yo͞u̢, I do h̕ope?" she asks, slyly, looking at the two.

-------------------

In response to Inarus' question about food, Chandruu responds first.

"Well, in general," says Chandruu, "we mostly eat other mephits - after they're dead, o' course."

"Tha's right!" adds Yalagach, brightly, "Though sometimes we've stolen somma th' good stuff from offa some o' those ********* plants, an'll chew-smoke it..." she grins, having helped, bouncing, slightly.

"But ya ***-*******-****** never ac'tually eat tha' ****! Like, ya never swallow!" clarifies Agaar, intently.

"Oh, **** no! Definitely not!" agrees Yalagach, solemnly, swiftly, nodding with a serious expression.

"Right." adds Chandruu, serious, "Swallowin' tha' stuff'll cause you to..." and here all the mephits look at each other, solemnly, and shudder, almost as one, "... waste." spits out Chandruu, almost like a curse.

"Yah." adds Agaar. "Pardon my language, but y'll vomit that **** right up, along with every ******** thing y've ******' eaten for a while!" says Agaar.

"Agaar!" Chandruu says, sternly.

"Don't use that kind of ********* language in front of our ********* ******' friends, much less our ********* ******' master!" Yalagach reprimands. "Is that how you treat the ******' one you gave you your ********* name?!"

"Look, I'm sorry!" adds Agaar, "But ya gotta say this ****, 'cause otherwise they might not un'erstand!"

"Fair." says Chandruu, "But! Ya gotta watch your ********* mouth, from now on! We're already tryin' not ta offend 'em!" he clarifies.

"Sure deal." says Agaar. "Either way, now we've also eaten dragon."

"Inde̵ed͟," says Umerus-Teelktem'dasser, "t̛h̷o̕ugh͞ ̵thi͏s isn'̷t̡ ̸m̢y͢ f̡ir̶s̸t̷ ̀d͏ra͏g̡oń.͝ ̡I h̸a̵ve ̢b͝eeņ ̸f̢ed ̵s̸c͜raps̸ ͜fr̢o͡m ̷o̸n̷e m͡y ma̴s̶ter ki̴l͏l͜e̛d, ̕an҉oth̵e͢r h͘e ̡r͜eceiv̡ed͢ i̢n tr͜ib̛út̛è ́f̶r͘o͏m a w̕hi͟t҉e *̧***̴* ͝n͘ea̶rby,͡ ͏a̶n͘d ̀th͜é ̡f͏i͡n͞ál̷ ͝w͝as o҉n͟e̕ ͜t̸h͡a̧t͏ ̸I'd҉ b͝eȩn f͢or͟c̶ed͡ ̸t͏o͟ ͟k̛iļl w҉h͏i͏ļe͏ u͡nd̢er ͜t͢he̵ p҉o̸w͘e̶r͏ of th̶at p̛i̢e͜c͏e ͘o͡f͟ *̶**́*҉, ̸th̡ere.̶" she says, nodding to what little is left of the green. "Th̢er͢e áŗe ą f҉e̸w̨ o͠t́h̴er c͞re̸a͞t̀u͟r͢e̡s,͜ b͢ut th̨e̡y ͢ha͠v̡e ̧b͞a͘s̷ic͢ally ąl͜l b̀e̶e̷n èaten̡,̷ as ͝soon ͏a̴s̀ ͟the̡y pop.͟"

"Yah, tha's about right." adds Chandruu.

-------------------

Eternal seeds slowly "stretch" as they are woken by Inarus' question: they have had a good rest, and feel good.

After pondering and communicating, they respond.

- heaven is the ascended reverse of the fiery pit of hell - the place where fire and rage and pain are turned into cold and love and pleasure; this is all that is known; they are willing to follow you beyond the ends of the reality, whichever path that may take

”It seems like a harsh place…eat or be eaten.” Inarus answers. He feels a surge of regret for the strange, alien, harsh lives they lead. ’Would there be a way to bring them to Golarion where everyone could choose how they wanted to live their lives’ He thinks to himself.

”We come from another world – down there you can grow things like vegetables, hunt animals, fish…and choose how you wish to sustain yourself. And if you die and are not buried – the scavengers like vultures will feast on your remains.”

”I am pleased to met you, Iya-iya, but do you mind us being this forward?” Inarus asks her politely. ”When you choose to rename yourself – was there a significance on why you selected that name?” He cocks his head curiously.

Meow!

”Ok – I can accept that, though usually we don’t eat our own kind. Again in this very different world, I have no right to judge on what you do – especially so since you did not have a choice in that matter.” Inarus comments.

”Right, you did drugs. You really should stay off chew smoking things from weird plants. They aren’t good for you.” He adds in. Then he launches into more or less a lecture on the evils of drug abuse and hallucinogenic plants.

Knowledge nature 33 or so for the count

’Cold love and pleasure…’Inarus ponders upon the Eternal Seeds words. He thanks them for their assistance then mentions to Usawoti.

”I think heaven would correspond to the element of cold, and the sin of lust. Please make sure you’re adequately protected. “

Inarus will buff Iva-iva (after telling her to lower her spell resistance if she has any) and Usawoti with Heroism before they proceed to Heaven.

[ooc]Would buff Quiet Gazer as well, but I haven’t figured out how to cast on an object..

Won’t be able to use any rods – since I can’t hold any. Heroism on for 130 min

"F͢orw҉ar͜d͟?" she says, bemused. "I w҉ơul̶d n͟o͢t ̧h̢ave ̕c̸o͟n҉s̛įd͏e͡r͢e͟d͟ ̸it҉ śu̷cḩ a͘ q҉uery͢.͢"

The dragon ponders. "I͞t ̢i̢s ̡a̵ si͞m̧pl̨e q̵u̕e̕śt͜i҉on͟, ̨on̵ s͝uppo͢ses̡.̀ ̸Dr͝àconi͏c nam҉es҉ arȩ ̢v̵er͢y ҉diffic͏ult͟ ́to tr̴anśl̶a͜t҉e҉, ͟b͢u̧t͘ I w̡i҉ll̢ d̶o͏ m̶y͘ b́es͜t.̧ ͠'Ume͟rus' ís ̶a ͝d͡ra̸g͢on͘ ̨nam͜e̛ mea̵nin͡g͢ "̢briḑge͘" or ͟"f͟ut҉ure"̷ or ͝"o̷ra͢c̶l͏e"͘ ͠ór͏ ͠"͠p͠a͜t̴h̸" ́- s̴o͏m̀eth̛i͏ng I͢ ́wi͞sh̛ t͢o̷ s҉e҉t ̕f͢ơr ͜myself ̸hence͝f̛or̢t͜h͘, a͏s͡ the̸ ͡t͟wo ̢o̴f͟ ̧yo͞u h̷a͢v̛e͝ ͘su̡gg͟este͝d͟, ͝str͞ong͡ly. ́T̶he ̴ņam͡e ̧"̸t̸e̕e͠lk͝t̷em"͠ is̷ sim̸pl͡y one ҉that̡ me̕a͏ns͢, "ta͜l̡k"͟ ͜or̷ "sp͝e̴ak" ̶-̀ w͜ḩi͠c̀ḩ i҉s,̀ ̧of c͝ouŕs͝e,̡ ̴linked̴ ̷w͟įt̨h ́"̛d͞ass̛e͠r̵"̴ -҉ ̴t̷h͡a͢t̵ ͘i̵s͞,̨ the͟ ͏"͠h͡a̢p҉p̀y̕,҉"̛ ̕and҉ "b͘ea̷uti̛fu̵l"͜ ̵an̕d ̀"̡g̸ood"͡ a̢nd "ín l̛o̡ve" ̧an͏d̴ ̶"̧poetic͟" ̧an̴d "light-̸h͘ea̡de͢d" ̵ąnd ͜"li̢m̕p"̀ and̶ ̵"́t̴i͟ŗed̢"̡ ͟a̕nd "a͞t̵ r͜est͢"͏..̴. ̧how͏eve͟r,͞ ̷a̵tte̴mp͘tin͡g̀ ͞to ̛n̡a͢m̨e ͠m͞y̴şel̶f͟ ͡in ͘the ͢humanoi͏d͡ ̷to͘ngu̸es ͏f͝ro̵m w̵he̕n͏c̛é y͟our̸ p͠śy̧c͜he͜s ̕désc̴eņd͏ wil̢l ́l̨e̕a̴d̵ ̧t̢ǫ ńa̶m̕ȩs ̕t͟o̴o̷ lon͠g̨,̴ ͡e͜v̨ȩn ͞b̛y ͘draco̸ńi̷c s͢t҉and̷ards." She snorts, in humor, and a small flame lights the interior of her nostrils.

"A͞n̵d́ so ͟I chos͜e ̕"̕E͝u̶ph͘emi̷a"́ ẁh̡ich ͞me͟ans̸, "to͝ use͘ ̢wor̶d͏s ơf́ ̵go͟od͠ omens͏"̵ - t͢hi̡s b͝ei̡n͝g ͜th̨e ̸clośe̡st I͠ ćou̡l͟d ̡c͜o̧m͝e ͞iń ͢y͝o̵ur sìmp̀le ̴li͠nguistics̴ s͢t͡an̵d͢a̛rd̢s͜. And͠, t͢h̡a͠t͘,͟ ̷o͠f ̀c̛òu̕r̀se,̶ ͘cơm̕es̷ f͠rom ̛th̀e o͠l͝d͝ w̧or͡ds "t̨h̴a̶t͜ ͘whi̧ch ҉is ̨gǫod"̵ an͡d "to̸ s̴pe҉a̧k" ̢or ͜"to̵ ̷dèclare"̨ ͜- when҉ ͜pla̢ce͟d t͝oģe͠th͟er,̢ ́"̕E̵u͟p̀hemia"̡ i͡s͞ ͢t́he ͏na͘mè. O͘f ̷ćour͝s͡e,͞ I̶ ҉a͏lso ch̶o̷se à ̀ǹiçk͢n̨am͏e̢ - ҉a̵f̢t́er ̨àl̷l, I҉ ̷a̷m g͘iv̧e͞n͠ to ͠u͏n̸ders̸t̢an̶d̵ ͟t̀ha̸t those ơf ͘clo͠se i͘mp̢or͟t͠ ́h̀ave ͘s̕uc̢h. F̡o͝r͜ ̧t͟h͘ơse҉ ͡w̴h͏o re̡s̵c̨ue҉d͡ m͢e̴, ́die͏d f́or ͜me҉,͡ a͞n̷d fr͢e̕ed m̨e͏, ̡I͞ ́w̶ou̡ld ̢h͟o͟pe̛ sųch wo͝ul̴d be th͜e҉ ͢r͢e͝l̕a͘ţi̢ons̷hi̸p.̶" she bows, graciously, seemingly honest, though not without a tone of humor.

"I͘ m̴ưst̸ say̴,̕ ̀I a̛m ̶pl͘e͢ase͝d w̷i̕th myse͘l̛f.̛" she says, preening. then she laughs. "Be͡si̶d̵e̡ś, "Iya-͏įy̧a"̵ s͢o͠un̢d̛s̴ far m̛ǫr̴e pléa͟sa͢n͢t̷ on ͝ţh̢e̸ t͘o҉ng͝ue,̢ t̢o ͏m҉y ̴e͜ar,́ t̶h͝an̡ ́"̴Yoofi"̢ ̴or ͟"̸E̡ffie" ͢o̵r̨ ͜"F̷eḿmie"̵ ͜or "Ep͝pie̵"́ ǫr̷ ̧m͢ost a͏n̸y ǫther̛ de̷r̕iva͝ti̸o̴n I ̸cou̷l͢d c̢o͘mȩ up ̧with̢.̡"

’Inarus doesn’t understand, I tried to tell him they were put in here to feed on each other…'Um̴eru̡s-Te͜elk̴t̸e͏m̛'̛d͏as͟ser'͘ how lovely, or Eurphemia … true friends, I hope so also. We cannot have too many true friends.’ Usawati, unconsciously rests one hand on top of the other, touching the jeweled sentient creature.

’Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die, apparently a reality here more so than other places, who can blame them for wanting to escape this place even if it is in the smoke.’ Usawoti stands quietly smiling as Inarus discusses the reality of the place with it ‘s occupants. Nodding his head when Inarus starts to prepare to go to heaven. Sorry I couldn’t resist

”You have chosen a good name 'Um̴eru̡s-Te͜elk̴t̸e͏m̛'̛d͏as͟ser'͘ it would be my pleasure to consider you amongst my good friends so it will be Iva-iva between you and I. My adult name is Usawoti, but I will tell you my child tribe name when I tell my naming story to the Meqhits. But that is a story for quiet times and must wait.”

He looks at the Mephits, addressing them, calling them over, casting resist cold on each of them and himself as he touches them. ” Chandruu, Yalagch and Agaar, split the mephitis up into three units, each of you leading one unit. We will rotate who is front and who is behind. Then await direction. I don’t know if much foolishness will be suffered where we are going.”

Turning to Inarus, ”I will also buff, just incase this is not our idea of heaven, but now you understand why I think taking them with us out of this ‘machine’ and away from the warfare outside that will consume them back to Golarion with us.”

Once Usawoti and Inarus have buffed, Usawoti rests his hand on the bronze dragons side ”Iva-iva, would you lead us into the place of your hatching?” He nods to the Mephits, ”The bronze dragon is the point of our spear. Chandruu, left flank, Yalagch right flank and Agaar, you and you unit bring up the rear. The resist energy spell I have cast will only last thirty minutes so let us away.”

Pausing for a moment he places his hand on his chest. ”Mope it is time, I will ride you into this new place they call heaven and hopefully we will escape this accursed maze.’ as Mope materializes, Usawoti mounts and nods to his friends.

Bless is continuous, Cast: Communal resist energy: 30 Cold 33min each, Heroism: +2 to attacks and saves, Barkskin :+ 5 enhancement, 10 min/level, extend, 220 min=3 hrs. 10 min., and False life, 11 hrs, 1d10+10
False Life: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

"It is a beautiful name. I was not born a dragon so many things to do not come naturally to me." He gives Iva-iva a wry smile. "Would you believe it or not, I used to be a half orc? "

"It seemed an entire world ago."He gives a pensive sigh. "At least I no longer bear the burden of demonic taint. And I suppose if you can walk out of walls, no one will ever be able to imprison you. I don't really know what I'd do once I got back to Golarion." He says almost to himself. "I could go for a priglimage around the world as a spirit I suppose." He smiles at the thought.

When he hears Usawoti getting the mephits involved

Inarus's good mood disappears. He furrows his eyebrows and glares at Usawoti.

Telepathy to Usawoti

"Why are you involving the mephits in this?! It'll only get them killed,like with the achaerai!" He berates his companion at the top of his mental voice.

Usawoti shakes his head, "If they do not help earn their freedom they will not feel they deserve it and will revert to old behavior. Besides, if we need to retreat, it will be easier if they are organized." Usawoti turns and winks at his old friend. "Do not fear old friend, we are ready to go."

Inarus turns invisible (shadow blend), casts message on Iva-iva and goes sneaky sneaky ahead.

He tells Iva-iva by message, Usawoti by telepathy he'll take a look ahead and pop back in at first sign of trouble.

Take 10 stealth, total 20

Mope appeared with a flourish, delighted to be awake and ready once again. "Excited, and ready ta go, sir!" he speaks to his master, strong and vibrant. "Let's go ta heaven! Or whatever!" he says.

Inarus heads forward, and the others follow a bit of a distance. Iya-iya took up a position near to Usawoti, and the mephits - in three tiers, followed closely behind.

As they travel, Iya-iya chats with Usawoti about nothing in particular, and everything she can think to mention, with a plethora of questions that especially focus on his world, and what it's like there. The mephits listen to anything he has to say in rapt attention.

Soon enough, Inarus comes across a mass flat of perfectly circular ice.

He moves forward, and begins sliding into it, even vanishing partway through; but suddenly, Inarus bumps into a seemingly solid part of the thing, pushing him back, and causing him to drift out.

After some time, and a few more tries, it becomes clear it is warded against incorporeal intrusion.

The crew eventually comes close enough to find the ice block, too. "H͡m͘. ͡Th͡i̢s͡ ́ìs̸.̸.. n͡ew, ͘as óf w͠hat, ́f̀rom I͝ ca̕n t̢èl͠l,̧ y͏ou̶ ͘w̶oųl̶d ̛co̴n͡s̴ider͠ a m͢o͞n̡t̷h́, ̨ór ͢p͘oşs̷ibl̛y͝ ye͠a̢r̷,̢ pr̸e͝v͜iou̢s.̧" She nods.

As conversation continues, it becomes clear that she has no particular way of marking the time, and clarification of how long it's been is partially impossible, but it has been at least a month, and possibly as long as a year.

"Seems like they locked it, boss!" says Chandruu.

Iya-iya breaths a powerful blast of flames at the thing, causing huge melted slews of water, steam and slush flooded from the ceiling.

"Oh, good, boss, she found'a key!" says Chandruu. "Hey, you mooks!" he turns to the other mephits. "Specifically you!" he points at the mephits that once flitted between fire-wrath and air-gluttony. "Don't jus' sit there, lookin' like the dumb ****-headed ****-faces ya are: do somethin' f'r a change!"

One of them lifts a hand. "Sure, but... what?" it asks.

"Duh!" says Yalagach. "Ya gotta help her with your breath!"

"Like this!" says Agaar, demonstrating. It didn't do anything, but it got the point across - the smoke mephits all gathered around and began using their tiny blasts of hot smoke to support the incredible fire-blasts emanating from Iya-iya's open maw.

It doesn't take long before the way is open, and a heavy slew of magical slush remains on the ground, and a large pool of water flooded the ground, and lots and lots of steam filled the air.

"I̵t i͏s ̕no lon̢ger͝... locked.҉" Iya-iya says, breathing, proud.

Inarus sneaks forward, and cold descends on him - ice and frigidity and... passion.

Inarus rises through the tunnel, and finds... not much, really. Another tunnel leads off, with a thick sheet of blue ice covering the ceiling, and no particular creatures or anything like it.

Inarus explores for some time, even finding a five-point cross-way, but he discovers no particular creatures anywhere.

On finding the ice block
Inarus growls at it, as he tries to push his way through. The ice doesn’t really care for him being pushy, and pushes back. ”More those warded things.” He grumbles under his breath as he gives the ice block a dirty glare.

Inarus nods approvingly as Iya-Iya and the mephits flames the door. ”Nicely done.” He tries his own breath weapon on the door as well, sending shards of obsidian flying at the door, not wanting to look like a slacker. Especially being in front of a lady dragon.

’Is it right to feel mating urges? Were we created that way so that there would always be babies?’ Inarus thinks to himself as a wave of passion surge through him, and he thinks on how nice it would be to snuggle into Iya-Iya’s embrace. ’Don’t be silly.’ The more rationale part of his mind asserts itself. ’How are you going to cuddle anyone if you’d pass right through them? Besides you’ve just met! Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?’ He then has a brief mental picture of himself getting slapped by Iya-Iya making forward advances too soon, and decides he REALLY should spare himself the embarrassment.

”Area’s clear – as far as I can see. The place is keyed to passion.” He reports by telepathy to Usawoti, in a dry, deadpan manner. He dimension doors back to the party then describes what he has seen, warning them about the place invoking passion in them – then asks Iya-Iya if she can remember anything about heaven, and which way she would want him to check out.

Better check if teleportation works also..

Your dimension door seems to be functioning just fine.

how long did it take to melt the ice? Watching time for the resist cold

Usawoti pats Mopes neck and unconsciously slips his hand into a pocket, pulling out a lump of sugar giving it to the grey stallion.

As they move along, Usawoti answers 'Iya͠-̧iy̕a̕ question the best he can. But he relishes telling her about his home land from one side the Storval Plateau with it’s hellish Cinderlands and to the other side the Velashu Uplands where the Horselords follow their great wild herd.

’new…A month or a year, how difficult it would be to keep track of time in a place like this, let alone in contrast to how the time actually fluctuates between…' Hearing Chandruu say something about it being locked Usawoti focusses quick enough to see and feel the blast of fire-breath from 'Iya͠-̧iy̕a̕. Smiling as Chandruu continues his running monologue, he nods in agreement, ”Yes a key indeed.”

’Contrary to what Inarus says, it does them good to help.’ Usawoti nods approvingly as the Mephits help clear the way, as Mope prances about in the magical slush that the fire and ice has created. Usawoti nods in agreement ”Yes, my friend, it is no longer locked.” watching and Inarus heads into the tunnels of heaven.

[i]” The place is keyed to passion, got it, we will begin to move forward.” Usawoti turns to the mephitis and then the dragon, unconsciously placing his hand on his ring. ”Inarus says the place seems to be empty, but it is keyed to Passion, apparently of a lustful sort, so be on your very best behavior toward each other, and guard your thoughts.”

As they move into the tunnels, Usawoti’s mind wanders toward his beloved, Yeye.

As I am busy, lazy, pressed for time, and uninterested in going back and doing the calculations again (as I had them no where but a calculator), we will handwaive it for now, as we can generally retcon when, exactly, the protection was put on. Namely, let's assume it was put on after/while Inarus was scouting ahead.

You wander the frigid tunnels for quite some time, at first uncertain where, exactly, you are, though eventually discovering a few familiar features - notably, you begin to recognize the runes for lust and cold, simply by wandering the routes, while you also follow the eerily empty corridors. At one point, you do find a sudden ice wall, but before you break it open, it becomes rather clear what is on the other side: a huge host of elementals that are... erm... cavorting, for lack of a better term.

Heading in an opposite direction, eventually leads you to where you are - between Inarus' searching, and Usawoti's mental maps - relatively certain leads the way "out" - or rather, back to the other tunnels. Along the way, you find a couple of ice mephits highly enjoying each other's company.

They ignore you, entirely, simply reveling in the pleasures of each other, and letting out occasional "****, yeah!" or "Hallelujah!" or similar utterances. It suddenly strikes Inarus that he's seen these two particular mephits before - in fact, he's seen them explicitly when they first entered the tower - on the base level of the whole thing. He even finds the part of the tunnel he previously had seen through. It is opaque, from this side, of course, and there is nothing in particular that obviously differentiates it from other, similar tunnels - he just recognizes the particular angle of the tunnels he is now inside. Hm.

Such encounters - expanding to include lightning mephits, and sluggish ooze and water mephits - become more common, slowly in increasing in frequency, numbers, and complexities of... interactions. There are a few places where actual liquid water has formed amid all the ice, though it's no less cold. A brief test by Usawoti's keen nature senses confirms: it's salted water - the mephits nearby being salt mephits.

Though extremely tempting, Usawoti's devoted followers manage to remain strong... for a while. After a time, though, it becomes less a matter of "remaining strong" and more of a matter of just kind of continuing on as they pass through groups that begin collecting onto them (and Inarus, and Usawoti, and Mope) like dew onto flowers in the morning. Extremely "active" and highly amorous dew. That has horns and thin, leathery wings. And are mephits.

Though a couple of wrong turns are taken, eventually it becomes clear which way things are headed. At the terminus of this level - the place where Inarus is certain it leads to the tower, again - there is what amounts to a major bacchanalia.

In a huge circular tunnel that loops out of sight in either direction, an entire veritable carpet of mephits, and even dozens of miniature draconic creatures (generally medium to large size) in an undulating mass. The sounds are... distracting, and there are occasional glimpses of arms, or legs that belong to no mephit or dragon - extremely attractive limbs, complete with voices to compliment.

After a moment, Inarus, in particular, realizes that the golden "carpet" below is, in fact, a set of undulating golden scales slowly shifting below the... activities.

Though the positioning and movement is varied, as some creatures go one way, and others another, none are willing to leave the undulating circle. The scents are heady and mind-spinning, the sight is hypnotic and beautiful, and the sounds make it difficult to think or hear anything else.

After a short time, Inarus, Usawoti, and the rest notice: a new mephit pops into existence above the the... undulating collective of folks. She immediately joins in. After a few moments more, a gorgeous humanoid of indeterminate gender* slides smoothly into existence and then into the mix.

* Inarus recognizes it as a Veela.

Suddenly, a large cavorting collection of mephits is almost flung from the mix down the hall, laughing and playing and teasing and such. They continue, unharmed, before eventually settling into a "comfortable" set of activities, able to be heard somewhere down the hall.

No one else seems to notice, and any that happened to be involved with those, quickly find no end to potential new partners.

"welcome, friends" it a voice seems to say, "please feel free to join us - this is meant to be paradise" it explains, "and you are welcome to stay as long as you desire"

Though the tunnels are cold, there is genuine warmth, along with genuine cold, in the enticing mix of people and beings.

"ah, but it is clear you seek to move on for your own reasons" the nebulous presence explains. "as you have no doubt noticed, sin is difficult to leave - though we will not keep you a prisoner, here, you will find it true as much here as the levels below" The presence almost seems apologetic, though warm and enticing, and... desirous, as well.

"but certainly, there are worse ways to live?" it asks. "you will always find yourself and your desires welcome here, and most anything you want can be had - it is, after all, freely given, here"

"will you join us?" comes the request.

Wat do?

Throughout the journey, Inarus makes sidelong glances at Iya-iya, then with a strong effort of will, controls himself, and looks ahead again, instead of at her. Each time he does so, his spectral form turns a little pinkish. He wonders if she is having the same thoughts about him...

Inarus checks if his companions are all right. "Look, everyone in more or less ok?" But when he announces this, he looks down at his own feet, unable to look at Iya-Iya.

Telepathy with Quiet Gazer

"Are you all right here? Is it painful for you?" He asks her telepathically.

He then turns to Iya-iya, not quite able to meet her eyes. 'If she knew what was going on my mind...she'd think I am a pervert.' He thinks quietly to himself."Iya-iya - is there any part of this place in particular you wish to be headed to? Is this place to your desire?"

"Sorry, we're in a bit of a hurry," Inarus says regretfully. "I won't keep any of my companions against their will though," He then turns to ask the entire party. "Anyone wishes to join them? We're moving on, though."

'I feel like a caravan master sometimes. Is that how caravan master feels?'He thinks.

"Where does this place lead to - would anyone be willing to tell me about it?"

Take 10 diplo total 32 for Veela