The oracle says " if you wish to save the earth goddess, then do so, and be blessed; not easily done but certainly doable as a group; signs show that several of you wish to save a goddess or two.
My guests, I have traveled extensively; I have been through the Underdark and walked all five continents of the surface world; I have walked 7 different planes of existance in the my service as profitess to serve my diety.
These things you ask if just information; I could provide some answers for a price or sell to you information of those best able to answer your questions and how to go about gaining that information. Information is power and a power struggle is exactly what rages in the multiverse. All power has a price, but being powerless usually costs even more.
I suggest you think of what you know; only the greatest of heroes may battle in direct confrontation to close the Demon Gate outside of Tri Clorie Espetum; only the most pure hero can find the Lost Emperor and restore the Pact. But I offer you this very stern warning; beware; beware and ward your dreams; beware your ambitions for the feed the enemy. Be like the blade of grass, hold what you can and let go the rest; a blade of grass does not wrestle the wind; it bends and lets it go; one piece of grass holds little; but a field of grass holds firm and provides and abundance.
Near here is the entrance to the abode of certain enemies who wish the destruction of this world; at this time they are distracted and in council that is not going well; the greatest of them desire to blot out the very sun itself and have enacted plans in the past to do so; even the Great Lord of Darkness considers this a vile action as does the Sun God of this temple. They seek the Blood and Essence of the Earth Mother; they have her chained in a pit. She is not a warrior; and has little power under the Earth; she has at this time very few allies; her brothers and sisters no not where she is; neither does this temples diety; but I know one who does; I know many things.
Would you go into the dark depths of the earth and battle these foes and provide rescue to the Earth Mother? This would be a great victory to restoring this field which has seen so much battle and loss.
Do this quest as a team, and I will answer your questions to the limit of the worthiness of your actions, a fair trade, I swear it.
Two you can easily reach with your mindlink; they are well and searching for answers, one is far west of India out in the Island chains and tells of great sea monsters; the other is south; in the southern lands with the chinese freedome fighters; tells of vast armies at war and rumors of a great artifact being uncovered that might help your quest; the four are shielded; you get the feeling of peril if you try to breach the shield; you do know that all devils and devils are psionic to one degree or another.
Caran: "Do you know of the wood elf Cael del Copal? I believe he may have information that would be very helpful to us, whether we choose to try an overt or covert approach. And if we may discover how to find him, then we can concentrate on other questions for the Oracle, as he can tell us who holds the demon gates on the Valenese continent.
"I think that my imprisoned companions, the ones the priestess said may be in a position to help my homeland - and thus, may be in a position to affect other aspects of this scourge - are either in the hands of the demons in that region, or in the hands of the Mongols and the devils they've raised against them. Hmmm, raising evil to fight evil - it doesn't seem rational on the surface, does it?
"Before I choose my question for the Oracle, I am going to make one last attempt to contact my coterie, those who survive. My success or lack thereof will help me to decide how to approach the Oracle."
[ooc]Vale: Namaste will try to Mindlink with the other coterie members again. It is my understanding that once a connection has been established, it is permanent and does not require another use of the power to establish telepathic communication, so since she has created the link with each coterie member in the past, she should be able to contact each of them in the same attempt, assuming that other factors (such as death, psionic or magical shielding, etc.) don't interfere. I know that a psion can pour power points into it to link with an *unwilling* creature, but the power description doesn't say anything about how expending power points may affect the ability to penetrate psionic or magical shields to reach someone telepathically, so that would be your call. If it is possible to penetrate whatever forces have kept her from being able to reach her coterie companions, especially Treyva, by expending power points, then she will pour as many points into the effort as she needs to, up to her maximum of 40 (or 43, if the katana's boost stacks with the other pp's on the...
I will go back into the darkness. I know the perils of the Underdark, and what enemies we face as well. I think we are to few too get very far if the Devourers remain vigilant. But I will go, and I will slay. One blade of grass can be crushed easily. But the blade of grass in the right circumstance can cut deeply.
Val
Worry not young Drow; a way will be created; the dieties of this land seek the redemption of their sister; a diverion will be made so you should not face their main strength.
"This sounds like as good a place to start as any, and better than most!" Namaste exclaims, happy to at last have more than a vague quest before her.
the oracle says; there is a convergence of many things here; more than you know; upon this quest hinges many things; for example, although there was only a 40% chance that the Egyptians would come on this path of choices; the importance of their task is still relevant and upon it much hope rides; perhaps you would speak of this, young rogue, for the forces of evil collecting two or more gods of the earth and plants and living things who are also connected in mystical ways with the undead should be all of your concern.
Well priestess I was on a quest to find the Parts of Osiris before I had this departure. The companions that I was with where the progenitors of the quest and I was to assist them in it until they had no further need of me. In fact before I left them they told me that I was no longer seen as being needed for the quest and that I could assist Caran to here myself instead of just drawing a map with directions. I am not sure of where this part even is other then the ship we where on was to have disembarked at the port to the north of here.
All things converge young rogue; the forces of evil have many diefic artifacted together; your quest is there in alignment with saving this lands earth mother; it is the power of these and other dieties which the forces arrayed against you seek to use to undo the bane of sunlight; if the light fails; so will humanity and most mortal life.
Val
So it has been decided for me. These holy items belong to those who rever there chosen Diety. Not in the hands of the Devourers. They are gifts to this mortal realm. Not plunder to be hoarded or desacrated.
I know what its like when there is no hope. Where there is never a Sun. The never ending dark. The constant fear in peoples eyes of will I be next. I know these dangers. I will battle the Doom, and the endless Legions of gnawing teeth, and lifeless eyes. Til they taste flesh. I will listen to the words of wisdom you will gift to me. Then I must ready for war.
hmm; I am waiting on you guys, are you waiting on me; i could just move it along; but dont know if you guys have asked all you want to; you are still not yet talking to the Oracle as you have not asked anythign prophetic; its ok; you just have the opportunity. If you like we can move to start of the adventure; though, it would be nice to have another player or two, but if you guys do the sneak and creep; speed and stealth thing well, you can do this and avoid many of the big combats other than the climatic one at the end.
hmm; I am waiting on you guys, are you waiting on me; i could just move it along; but dont know if you guys have asked all you want to; you are still not yet talking to the Oracle as you have not asked anythign prophetic; its ok; you just have the opportunity. If you like we can move to start of the adventure; though, it would be nice to have another player or two, but if you guys do the sneak and creep; speed and stealth thing well, you can do this and avoid many of the big combats other than the climatic one at the end.
Well, if everyone is ready to head out and have no other questions.
The oracle says; The path is clear <she gestures and a man sized cloaked, robed figure comes from the shadows of the trees; his footsteps have no sound, he disturbs neither the air nor the grass.
Caledon, await this peoples prepparations; then lead them to the least guarded and easiest access into the Pit of Death. Give them what guidance you can about the path. Their mission is secret; you will reveal it to no one; nothing; it shall never pass from you lips or your mind; do you concur. In a low, dry voice; the person Caledon responds; As commanded Lady oracle. then the oracle responds; they seek to free the Earth Goddess and Retrieve that of Life and render the the Harvest of the Dead Master fruitless.
The dry voice, like that of a dog walking on gravel speaks again: A heroic and worthy task for them, my Lady Oracle; he bows very formally; his clothes dont even rustle or make a sound. I await thee in thy timing Children of Life. We shall take a path to the North and East, After three days you will enter into the underworld, once there; you will find very little of sustance for the living. Make ready, summon me when you are prepared; he bows to the group.
sight and hearing perceptions rolls if you wish.
Let me express some of the dangers of the deep earth so you my companions will understand. The foods we eat must be eaten cold, and must be eaten in whole. So breads, dried meats, and nuts. We must leave nothing on the ground that can be used to track us. We must travel with no light or heat. Light while helpful to you will alert predators and enemys much further than any use than the light will be. If can reflect off moss, and some stones that reflect. We will have very few options if any to avoid going through an area. Suprise, and non-detection will be our greatest ally. Touch not any spider webs, or step into any pools of calm water. Drink only from water that runs, or drips from a cave wall. No fire must ever be let. The danger of light is great, but the danger of the air we breathe is greater. Good air is rare. There are places where the air can catch fire and burn us all. I would ask your friend stay behind. It is no place for surface animals. It surely would go mad. I would also ask that both Ladies where nothing that gives you desirable scent like perfumes. Those that hunt us have keener senses than us. Some fights we will be unable to avoid. They have abilitys to sniff us out that are very different than us. Some can feel our steps. That with training we can over come. Some can hear our heart beats. Some can taste our fear. Know we may come to some passages where it could take hours or days just to travel a few feet to sneak past something. I am willing to teach you all the under common. It is mostly a language of sign. It will be our safest way to communicate. I hope I am stressing how dangerous of a realm we are going to.
Caledon, could you please explain what dangers are unique to this Pit of Death. What preparations and advice you feel we must follow. So we all may follow your instruction. Perhaps in time we can return to a play we may call home.
Well I know that the inability of using any light will hamper both Caran and I; and I am not sure about Namaste. Is there any other method available for us to see. The other stuff I will have no problems with.
Traveling in darkness is a necessity. There are items, and spells that help with such things. If we have those available then we will be the better for it. If not then you must learn to rely on your other senses. Your hearing being the most important. I forgot to mention. Beware of the mushrooms. Many are used as alarms and make a high pitched sounds that would alarm predators of our approach up to days in advance. Many other mushrooms are poison if eaten. Others are sentinet. They have civilization and can be a terrible foe when stirred, or threatened.
"Trudging blindly through the Underdark may not be our only option. If our destination is known to someone who would consent to allowing me to glimpse that place through their mind's eye, I can get us there. But traveling through the Astral plane is not without its own perils."
I would like to hear how we can travel the Astral. I would also like to hear what dangers we might expect so we can make the best decision as possible before we take the trip, and prepare.
"In many ways, the Astral Plane is like any other. There are beings that are native to that plane who may take an interest in us as we pass by. Some of them are benevolent, others much less so, just as it would be in this land or any other that we might tread. It is also the home to two very powerful races who, like my own people, are naturally gifted with the psionic disciplines. One, the githzerai tend to keep to themselves and would be unlikely to bother or pursue us, unless we somehow threaten them. The other, however, the githyanki, are considerably more dangerous and fickle. They may give us a passing glance, or they may hunt us for sport, it is hard to say. Best to just give them as wide a berth as possible, if we are given a choice in the matter.
"As to the manner of travel, my people call it an Astral Caravan. There is a ritual that each traveler must sit through. It is a bit tedious, but necessary, in order to prepare you to travel in other planes and dimensions. We will then join hands and begin the journey. The journey is not instantaneous and may take a few days, but no more than a fortnight. Likely, it would take as long to travel overland and through the Underdark. With a bit of extra preparation, I can create a planar bubble around us, so that we can travel without having to remain physically locked in contact, which will free our warriors to use their weapons if the need arises, but you must remain within that bubble or be lost to the strange mists and byways of the Astral Plane ... and that is where the greatest peril lies.
"As I said, it is not without risk. The chances of meeting some malevolent force, versus the chances of meeting someone friendly are roughly even, I suppose. Given your description of the Underdark, it seems that those chances are skewed heavily toward the malevolent.
"If we choose the planar path, then I would recommend that our destination be one where we might have a good chance to rest before immediately erupting into combat. The process will be very taxing for me, and I will be at a great disadvantage at the end of it, until I've had a night to recover."
Namaste. Lets say you can get us there. Know the opportunity to find a place for us to hide and rest will be slim at best. Most likely even if we catch our enemys unaware they will still have a significant force to repel a force our size. Lets say we do defeat them, and accomplish our task that is appointed. Will you have the ability and time to take us out of there before reinforcements arrive to overwhelm us? Is your ritual vocal? How long does it take? If we need to fight our way out. I would like to know which way it would be to this surface world. I am familiar with the land below. It is honeycombed, and very easy to be lost. It could take us years to see the Sun again if we are lucky.
Which brings me to other questions. What exactly is our task in plain terms? Is it an artifact we must recover. If so we need a description of what we are looking for. Or is it a being, or item we must destroy? Likewise we need a description so we can identify our target. Do we need certain tools, and skills to accomplish this assigned task? Are required to perform a ritual? Its words and gestures we must master first. If needed are we all needed in sacrifice? Or must one escape with whatever item or knowledge is required. These I know are hard questions. They must be answered before we go. As I said I will go regardless. I am already dead. So I have no fear of what lies ahead. Namaste has friends and family to return to. Caran is a healer. In this war she is greatly needed. Thoron I know nothing of your character or motivations. If you are ready in this life to sacrifice all. Even if you have anyone to return to. In reality this is an Orphans task. So what say you all? What do you say wise Oracle? What words of advice will you give us? Its easy for a man to be brave when he still has hope.
Llvenoc:
no; the closest village would have been the fishing village; but there are a whole lot of people here; mostly Greek soilders; you may be able to trade.
Spot and Listen (1d20+4=16, 1d20+4=15)
Spot Check: 16
Listen Check: 15
The oracle states; it is simple; free the Grecian earth goddess from confinement, fine the piece of the Egyptian life god, and any other artifacts they have or whatever else might be needed to generally mess up their ritual so they cannot kill the sun and banish daylight.
ok; spot and listen checks..
15 spot and listen; caledon stands unaturally still, when he moves; no sound.
20 spot and listen; caledon has a human features; but is gaunt, you hear no breathing and though you see him breath; it is not very often. There are no bugs like gnats and stuff around him like there is around you guys.
25 spot; he has no facial hair; facial skin is bit grayish yellow from the norm, he has no whites of his eyes.
Caledon looks at the dark elf; takes a breath.
We shall not be in any realm of the Underdark as you call it known to you; but a realm of Hades; of death; in the bowels of the realm of Pluto.
light is not often a problem; at one time the dread Ultimax Deathstone stayed close to this area for a great length of time; during the time of the corruption of the Well of Life and the Unsealing of the Darkwell. A fairly phospflorecent fungus grows about the entire region.
As well, some creatures made by the dread Deathstone still exist.
Dangers; well, legend has it that any mortal may enter; but few actually leave; I believe Hera-cules was one who did; perhaps Odesius as well. Do not drink from any of the three rivers; pay the fare of Charon if you take his boat. I have a special concoction to lull Cerebus to sleep when we enter that his howls dont wake the dead; some diety I dont know chained him to the wall, but lost his hand doing it some time back; so he is no longer free to roam which is no small blessing; though his lesser sons do.
monsterous creatures of all sorts about; and the dead walk, some plotting in their own crazed minds; seething with hate for all things living, it is they who fear the sun. But keep hope; alas, there is also beauty.
Caledon states; the planar path would take you through Deathwatch Citadel; or so I am told; a vast fortess we could not breach; I believe the path Hera-cules took is less fraught with danger; though the geography is different from that time.
oh; and time; time runs differently in the realm of death; as the dead are eternal and dont care about time; only great artifacts like the Pick of Ages, which I once saw from a distance, can ebb the flow of time in Hades.
"Well, it seems that the path through Hades is the one we must travel. I shall trust your lead, sir. As for the rest of us, perhaps we should make our strengths and weaknesses well-known to each other, as the knowledge would prove valuable in the event we must calculate a strategy. For my part, I am known as a Psion, a student of the powers of the mind. Most of my abilities are manifest silently and still, unlike the arcane magics of a mage or wizard. Some of my disciplines are useful in combat, but mostly I specialize in travel and teleportation. Among my greatest assets in combat may be the ability to interchange the places of two allies - with practice and strategy, it can be used to keep the enemy off balance by never knowing who the attacker will be or where the blow will come from, as well as being able to pull a felled companion out of harm's way to avoid the coup de grace. My greatest weakness is that, though I am capable with this katana, I am not strong in close quarters combat."
Well I am a trapsmith. I find and remove traps or make and install traps. I also have some other skills of the like. My combat while effective is only so if I have someone else distracting the combatant.
<gm; nice; party should know each others strengths and weaknesses>
As I have stated before. I am a simple warrior. I am skilled with rapier, and handcrossbow. I like to fight light and fast. My training depends on speed, and flexibility of combat. My abilities assist me in surviving the UnderDark. In this other realm I am not sure what attributes of mine will be called to task.
This journey will be much longer than we expected. Crossing three rivers will be no easy task. What sort of coin does this Ferryman ask for? So there is no insult givin to him. Exspecially if he is our safest way to cross. What are the dangers of these rivers? The way you talk the danger is the water itself. Not in its predators, or drowning.
Caledon states; I know not those answers; I only know where the gateway into the realm of death adibes the entrance of those seeking it in folly or upon heoric deed; I only know some of the tales and have no first hand information. It is my thought that it is not Hades himself whom you will vie against or all would be lost; but just lesser beings who are meddlesome in the affairs of the trying to undue the office of the sun diety.
it is my task to take you to the entryway; it is up to you to decide to enter; I can only speculate at the dangers; but I would advise that you neither eat nor drink any of the sustance of the dead; and really eat not at all if you can for who knows what changes may take place therin; I have heard stories; but if you are or not going to the places of these stories origin is not known to me.
After the Druid states her piece and finds sustanance for herself and her companion; we can set out.
It is my thought to travel quickly and stealthily; we shall move among the shoreline for a while; running if you can handle it in the packed, wet sand; fleeing before any resistance until we make some distance; there are no longer any settlements nearby; we shall travel this way for two days; then we shall head inland into the badlands of the Caledonian wastes and head toward the Necropolis Prime. I can guide you; but cannot sheild you from the eyes of the undead which can see the living essence of your mortal coil, thus if it cannot be avoided; you will have to fight to gain ground. Some vile things will eat anything which moves as the ghoul do; some just follow whatever instruction given and only act upon those instructions; it is the wights, shadow fiends; and their ilk that are the real threat.
"If we take your advice and refrain from eating and drinking even that which we carry with us, how long can we expect to be in that realm?"
Caledon states in his dry, gravelike voice:
From what I have heard; in hades time is irrelavent; or doesnt flow; or does very slowly; thus time dependant magics have problems and the only real hunger or thirst is in your psyche; your body remembers eating; though I do not know the truth of these things; only the tales and things I have read. I do not know that you will go into the realm of Hades proper or not; the texts are confused; some relate all under the earth is that realm; some are more vague as if only some areas and there is definately evidence that other lands act differently as Lord Pluto's sphere of influence is mainly in this land.
I know not; I only relate the warnings i know.
hehe; themes in mythology often recycle but with other characters; this is like that but on a much bigger scale; remember that most of the dieties around the globe have been killed and most pantheons are very lacking in dieties to keep various things in control.
Well, I am not getting any hits looking for other players; am expecting you guys to wrap up getting ready soon and heading out into the adventure proper.
"Our group will need to rely on wits, wiles, speed and stealth to a great degree, I think. While most of us can probably hold our own, only one of us has any advanced training in melee combat, and that is Llvenoc. So, we are going to need to use strategy to accomplish close combat. There are a couple things that I can bring to the fight, but we should train and practice a bit, with practice dummies or sparring partners, before we get into a real combat situation.
"First, we will need to be able to communicate, sometimes silently. The sign language that Llvenoc can teach us will aid with that, but we'll need a back-up for times when we are not in line of sight. This is the first thing I can bring to us. With each person's permission, I can establish a mental bond between us that will permit us to communicate by telepathic means. This link will last for almost an hour each time I use it, and it will allow you to communicate with me from anywhere on the same plane. It will also allow you to communicate with each other, but to do so, you must remain within 15' of any other member of the network. Certainly, this link requires a measure of trust, so I will understand if anyone refuses it.
"Secondly, and perhaps more importantly in times of combat, I can dimensionally transplant two party members, myself included. I can, for instance, move Caran to where Llvenoc is standing, and Llvenoc to where Caran is standing. I believe this could be extremely useful in combat, in three particular ways. First, it can throw the enemies defenses off - he might raise his shield to fend off a blow coming from his right side only to have that very blow suddenly delivered from his left. It can also aid in our defenses - he might aim a sword blow at Llvenoc's chest, only to find that where Llevenoc stood is only empty air while his sword passed harmlessly above an intentionally prone party member, while Llvenoc is standing tall on the other side of him. Conversely, if the enemy aims a blow at a weaker party member, it might be delivered suddenly against a stronger and more defensible party member, turning what might have been a lethal blow into a near miss. Finally, it could serve to deliver fallen allies safely to the side of our healer, provided that she herself is safely away from melee. In such cases, it would probably be me who takes the fallen ally's place.
"But I caution you, being suddenly teleported from one location to another can be disorienting. For this reason, we will want to train with this tactic to get everyone accustomed to the experience, so that although you may begin an attack from one side, there is no hesitation when you deliver it from another."
I will be willing to teach you all the ways of undercommon. Its very creation and use was designed so we could move quietly. I can move quietly in the shadows, but have no training to hide from those who can see my heart beat. Or those who can feel my presense from touching the ground, or the air. I have seen how to train to move in such a way. In the future I will try to master this using water as my training medium. Once mastered I will teach any of you who wish to learn this skill.
As for this mode of teleportation. I am willing to learn this tactic. My skills involve speed, and disorientating my foe. Though against the dead I am not sure how much use it will be. Hand singals, and code words we must learn together to master this.
As far as your silent communication. I will give my trust to you Namaste. There are to few of the living for us not to trust each other. All I ask is my mind is my own. And respect those thoughts I deem private.
Martial training I am afraid we will not be able to do. We are in the confines of the Sun Gods domain. I am very religious by nature. So I will not betray the edict given here about weapons. I will not disrespect the Temple that has given me sanctuary.
So Caran. In this land of the dead we are not to eat, or drink. Will you be able to tell your friend so that she may understand? If not it would be better she stays here. I can see in her eyes that she is a predator. But as Namaste said we will need speed, stealth, and our cunning. Can your wolf have the patience and wile of a spider?
"Against the dead, tactics and skills that would hide us from sight would be all but useless, save for those spells which might be able to blind the undead. But while they may be able to see our living essence, most of them cannot read our thoughts, and tactics which are based on quickness or cleverness of motion, I believe would put off the undead as easily as any other opponent.
"Your point is well taken, and we should not attempt any martial training here in this place. Perhaps we might find a suitable ground, though, before we are called to enter the domain of Hades.
"And do not fear for the sanctity of your deepest thoughts. That particular skill probes surface thoughts only. Though some more practiced than I might possess the skills to peer deeper than that, I do not believe that is within my kin, nor within my desire."
The dry, gravel voice speaks again; we will travel for several days whereas you may practice your skill and will probably be attacked and require the need to defend yourselves lest your quest fail.
The druid speaks true; most undead see the aura of your life essence; though only those of pure spirit are not inhibited by the skills of a adept rogue; even a vampire can be snuck up upon by stealth though they may smell your scent or hear your beating heart; but it is neigh impossible to sneak up upon a wraith or ghost as they are not in the material world as we and as I understand it; their senses are quite different. Their is once advantage though; such creatures of spirit were once living and thus consumed by the events of their death; it has been said that some have lived by participating in the pantomine of that once life ordeal; but mostly they are consumed with a hunger to destroy the living and to meet such as a spectre is quick death.
go on ahead; is gonna take some days to get there; will introduce new characters as they become ready.
Then I say lets travel at the break of dawn. I will teach you basic gestures of the under common if you like this evening. For good tidings it would be best to travel as the Sun will be ascendent. Symbolic of our quest. It would be an great honor Oracle if you could bless us during the morrows sun rise.
"It occurs to me that if this is an earth goddess we seek, then it will be unlikely that she will be held by any normal, material bonds, for it would be within her bailiwick to exert great influence over those. If the Oracle could tell us how she is bound, and how those bonds are to be broken, it would greatly benefit us."
the Oracle:
Dear children, she is held by what she is not; by what she cannot see or touch; she is held by death and the power of necromancy and magic. it was when Hecate was killed by the Brothers of Chaos that this foul band sought and gained some of her power, thus, she cannot be reborn as they use her essence to bind the Earth Mother.
There are many ways to break a spell; that which is the bane of magic; that which is the lodestone; clever use of other magic; magic to strengthen one side; divine magic to purify and consecrate; these are but a few; which will you choose; path among paths; such a labyrinth of paths; of mortal choices; and where there is the earth mother and labyrinth; there is her child; the Minotaur; no friend of yours to be sure; but seeking his mother at her call as well; beware. Like all brutes; he may be used by the clever ones; but to face his wrath is destruction.
Until tomorrow then; depart a bit that I may anwer other seekers; tomorrow at dawn shall the blessing of the sun be imparted; it will mark you; interesting choice.
Namaste gives the Priestess a nod. "We shall return at dawn, then."
Namaste will leave the temple and return to the Oracle grounds, mingling with some of the other seekers and petitioners, looking for those who might be merchants or traders.
Is there anything specific anyone wants to do or prepare before the morning; you have about 14 hours.