"None that I know. The binding laid down by the cyclops Oracles was strong...it's held for centuries now, and is no weaker that I can tell."
Marids are known to be capricious and wholly unpredictable. While it is quite probable that she INTENDS to stick around for a year and a day once you free her, there's no guarantee she won't see something shiny a week from now and head off that way. Most other genies (particularly Shaitan) find Marids to be a disgrace to the good name of genie-kind because of this.
A properly placed Planar Binding or Ally would probably be needed here. You feel she would acquiesce to serving under no charge.
Jrahk gives the Marid a thoughtful look.
"You can grant wishes? Sounds like you'd be quite useful to Jrahk!"
"Ixrul, get whatever spell we need to make sure she doesn't run off. Then we'll come back and free her."
Daliya was more than happy for Ace to keep the Rod. She'd heard those things could turn you red. Who wanted to be red? As for the Marid..."I suppose we could use two of those wishes to turn Ace and Gremory back to there original forms, if they wished."
"I have planar binding, to make sure you would be able to, ah, focus for the duration of the deal."
"If you think it's necessary?"
Daliya may not know this, by the by, but Marids can only grant a wish once a year. You would, essentially, be trading a Wish now for a year's worth of service, and one Wish once the year is up, essentially.
"It's just insurance. Assuming you contribute as one would expect for your abilities, I will see to it that you are treated and paid as an officer for your service."
"And, Daliya, we would need an Efreeti for that. Marids can grant only one wish a year. And no, I'm not going to try to bind an Efreeti."
Turning to the Marid again, Ixrul says, "I wish for you to be freed of the binding set on you."
she cries, exploding into a giant waterspout, drenching the entire surrounding area.
"Well, almost free. I DID promise...bind me before I change my mind."
As he dries himself with prestidigation, Ixrul says, "I will as soon as we return to the ship. In the meanwhile, we have a few cyclopes to kill - I'm sure you'll enjoy that."
We return to the egg and use the incense to enter.
"Huh," Daliya replies thoughtfully. "I never did study the Marid as much as I should. My family was more concerned with the Shaitan." She prepared to follow along, on the cyclops hunt.
"So, uh, what exactly does the incense sticks do exactly, asides from making one blind?"
Remember that it's a hallucinogen. They have to pass the time with something.
"A spell of remove disease is to be cast on me tomorrow, whether I like it or not, by the by - I cannot afford a substance addiction, as it could kill me quite easily."
Upon blinding yourselves, little squares of light become apparent. You float into them, presumably entering the Eye of Serenity.
Inside you see...nothing. You're blind, silly. Well, that's not quite correct. A bright, almost blinding light shines out of the darkness, in what you guess is the center of the room.
As soon as you enter, you feel as though time is slowed, here. Everyone but Ace and Gremory are Slowed while you're here.
You feel two large presences moving, but they seem to be trying to be stealthy, and aren't charging to attack...yet.
Gremory announces loudly to the presences. I know you're there. Perhaps we can come to an agreement? It seems that we've reached a stalemate.
The figures respond in ancient Cyclops.
"No."
They are very nearby, within 15-20 feet. They come from every direction but behind.
Ixrul (29)
Ace (21)
Gremory (19)
Daliya (14)
Jrahk (13)
Giant Gholdako (12)
Gholdako (5)
Gholdako (1)
Ace clicks his heels (haste)(free action) lets his blade loose (dancing blade, swift action), "You know what to do, buddy!"
Also he lets loose some magic missiles.
"Ahhaha, I'll rip you f&%@s a new one!"
Unable to see, and not knowing a form she could take that would allow her to, Daliya started doing the next best thing - summoning something that could.
Ixrul flies up to the ceiling and starts casting Summon Monster V.
Ixrul flies up until he slams his head into the ceiling, thankful nobody can see that.
Harry telepathically snickers and relays the information to Ace, but Ixrul doesn't need to know that.
Jrahk gets angry, and gets ready to swing his sword in the general direction of the first thing that attacks him.
The large one is to the east, one is to the north, the other to the west. Each of them are near-by, within 20 feet. Jrahk you should be able to reach them.
Gremory then 5-ft steps to the side then totally gets to make her full-attack this time, right Game? Against the northern one.
Gremory finally manages to get off an uninterrupted string of shots!
Jrahk is surprised to hear Gremory's weapon fire successfully three times in a row.
[dice=Concealment]3d100
Ixrul is surprised that the cyclops have their own gunslinger.
[dice=Concealment]3d100
I'm going to find the man responsible for this gun. I am going to kill him.
The Gholdako each step in and attack the nearest targets.
Jrahk feels wind graze him as 3 images shatter.
The strike hurt, and the pain caused Daliya's spell to fizzle before it could be completed. With a grunt the heavy woman replied in kind, trying to smash the creature in return. Hopefully it had given away it's position well enough despite the annoying blindness.