"It's quaint. " replies Simon straight faced.
Ma dear He says addressing the taskmistress.Would you mind having the rest of these guards leave us The rest of the guards quickly leave, The taskmistress takes her place on the right side of The warden. His chair swivels around to face you.
Sitting in the chair is an abomination of humanity, while his form and figure are relatively normal, he has been scarred in several ways by his dealings with over the years with powerful fiends. He is bald headed with cracks emanating outward from his eyesockets...Yes eye sockets, instead of eyes you see a diminutive fiend standing in his sockets whispering god knows what to him. Not only that but in lieu of fingers these fiends dance upon his knuckles. He notices you taking him in and cracks a smile. It is the price one pays for power
My name is Estidian Morphidius, I am the de facto warden/creator of this prison. Please have a seat, I'm sure you have many questions. First and foremost, I did not drag y'all here in the middle of the night to kill you.
My name is Estidian Morphidius, I am the de facto warden/creator of this prison. Please have a seat, I'm sure you have many questions. First and foremost, I did not drag y'all here in the middle of the night to kill you.
"I'd assumed if that was your goal we'd have been tossed over the side by now. "
"My only question is what do you want? If the prize for your task is being free of this place I am interested. If not, I am uninterested in this conversation. "
Simon says directly and flatly.
He also takes a good long look around the room even as he speaks.
Perception
"It is the price one pays for power."
Ravens eyes go over the man's really nice prison devil tats.
He musta been a bottom bunker to get those.
Ravens spits and waits for the man's point, taking a seat.
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She's seen stranger, more hideous things - in this very prison, no less - but not within a facade of humanity. Somehow, this worsens the experience. As the man's gruesome visage first comes into view, she starts and her eyes widen, though she manages to keep herself grounded from reflexive recoil. She is no stranger to losing one's self to power, after all, but this is clearly beyond any line she would ever consider crossing. Were it not already claimed and paid for, she would wager her soul before so dismembering herself, no matter what great might it may grant her.
She takes the offered chair without comment, crossing her arms and steeling herself to meet what passed for the phantasm's gaze. Before she can respond to the man's inquiry, Simon speaks the words that had moments before been waiting to rush forward from behind her own lips. She nods once in his direction. "The gentleman speaks well. Clearly you've a purpose in mind for us, let us not banter unnecessarily about the irrelevancies without."
Ta'ruk is startled at first by the man's appearance but quickly recovers his composure. "I trust the power gained has been worth the small price," he tells the warden. "How can we be of service?"
Estidian chuckles Straight to the point then is it?, Very well then would it surprise you all to know that I too am a prisoner? It seems that a certain demon lord found it amusing to curse me in that I can let anyone out of here but I myself cannot leave?
This is where y'all come in. I need a certain item returned to it's proper owner. So that I can fulfill an obligation and begone from this place This item is located on sorcerers isle inside the former demense of Acercerak.
"How are we to return it to you?"
Ta'ruk is startled at first by the man's appearance but quickly recovers his composure. "I trust the power gained has been worth the small price,"
Small price you say...interesting coming from you
@Simon: Once you exit with my book, there will be a welcoming party for you
[b]You are all welcome to use my private library for research and such.
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Skiron appraises Estidian's mutilations bemusedly. Something had fun dealing with this man.
"You asked a few favors of Hieronyzdzst'tlychatir the Artist somewhere along the way, didn't you?"
Good luck finding a fiend among the lot here who could ever be more creative with him than that, he thinks. Anything they could do would be such an anticlimax. I'll grant he does have respectable taste....
Skiron's eyes turn to take in the room...
...but it appears his vista is a tad obfuscated between the likes of Simon the Radiant, Jeneva the Huge, and Ravens the Fidgety.
"I want it in writing and unambiguous." Simon says flatly. "It needs to include permanent freedom from you and your ilk and not simply a temporary reprieve to run your errand."
Simon takes the opportunity to browse the library for anything remotely related to the task at hand.
Survival
Arcana
Religion
Ravens sneers, seeking the more obvious questions.
"Why don't you send one of your lap b$$@!es to go get it? They, assuredly, have the ability to wield more than whips," Ravens asks, head nodding to the taskmistress.
Know (Geography)
Know (Nature)
Survival
Ravens sneers, seeking the more obvious questions.
"Why don't you send one of your lap b$$@#es to go get it? They, assuredly, have the ability to wield more than whips," Ravens asks, head nodding to the taskmistress.
** spoiler omitted **
"A valid point. Though more so to help us understand what we're getting ourselves into. "
...unbelievable!
EDIT: @Ravens:Excellent question good sir, Were I to send any of my minions they would most assuredly fall into the control of Acercerak. Would you like a scotch and cigar
@Simon:Are you making demands of me, you really could learn a few manners from your gracious friend here He indicates Ravens
"Merely a negotiation point to help keep from ending up back here. You'll have to forgive me if I don't take you at your word. It's only prudent."
Ta'ruk smiles at Estidian's retort. He tries to diffuse some of the hostility toward Simon. "Come now, you would be disappointed in us if we did not ask for something in return. It seems a very fair bargain. One that everyone benefits. We get our freedom as do you, your esteemed second here gets the promotion she so sorely deserves."
@Simon:Were I to hand you a piece of paper saying you will be free, would this ease your concerns?
@Ta'ruk: Um... yeah you find a book alright. On the first page it reads Welcome, If you have come here seeking knowledge it will be my pleasure to oblige if you are prepared to offer a bond of service. I am a master of several arts which have empowered my office and terrified my enemies. I will share dark secrets that will burn you with their power,searing their mark into your unworthy soul. When you have made your pact,read on but if you reject my gracious offer you are warned to close this book lest I demonstrate my prowess in the construction of blessings most dire
edit:
"You have a point. I has assumed you'd be offering an infernal contract. Perhaps not. I suppose we'll have to trust each other. ... To a point. "
Jeneva scowls slightly at the bizarre fixture on the map. Ominous portents. How are we to reach this place?
"And who is this Acercerak?" she asks, turning her gaze back to the bizarrely-scarred mage.
Acercerak was once a morally neutral necromancer who was using his work with the undead to perhaps find the solution to eternal life not only for himself but for everyone in his kingdom. However, as he grew older and with no success in finding eternal life, he took a darker route than intended and with the help of not only demons but daemons and devils as well. He secretly conducted experiments that transformed him into the first lich.
"And what manner of place is its demesne?"
His demense is the ruins of his once great tower, the absolute center of his power
@Ta'ruk:
1d100...unbelievable!
EDIT: @Ravens:Excellent question good sir, Were I to send any of my minions they would most assuredly fall into the control of Acercerak. Would you like a scotch and cigar
Ravens nods as he finally gets the respect he deserves. He accepts the scotch and cigar.
"What makes you think these simple minds will succeed where your minions fail?" Ravens asks openly.
And what makes you think you could capture me again once I am free of you. I will not make the same mistakes again...if I could only remember what they were.
"What makes you think these simple minds will succeed where your minions fail?" Ravens asks openly.
Well suh Estidian says lighting up his cigar I have sent quite a large force there once...they did not return. I am afraid they were taken over by Acercerak as he inhales you see some of the smoke exiting through his eyes.
@Skiron:
After discovering the secret to becoming a lich, He went quite mad not only from his transformation but his continued dealings with outsiders. He let his secret to transformation out along with several others that lead to disastrous results for the user. i.e Buyer Beware
"When do we leave? Presumably you will return our belongings so that we might have a chance for success. "
Ravens looks at the 'man' who failed to answer his question...or divine its meaning.
"What is the stop the rest of this lot from fleeing? Once out of here, they have no reason to do what you ask," Ravens projects.
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Jeneva snorts indignantly. "Certainly if you wish to walk with fiends at your heel for the remainder of your dance, such might serve a proper inspiration. Our ... host ... has shown that he certainly does not lack for resources, even if they are inappropriate for the cause of this particular hunt. I've no doubt such would be set to our scent if we were so foolish as to refuse to uphold our end of the bargain."
She gestures at the map. "Furthermore, unless you are possessed of magical capabilities well in excess of those shown by those within this captivity, we shall have limited recourse to reach or depart the isle. I for one do not relish the visage of making for shore becrossed by storms of this caliber, nor to delve the seas and dare the creatures that dwell within. Our options for transport are excessively restricted."
She crosses her arms, baring her teeth in a feral grin. "Moreover, where I am from, there are ... special punishments reserved for oathbreakers. While I relish the opportunity to perform such, I have no longing to stand in the place of the participant."
Simon: You will depaht as soon as you have finished your studies and yes all of y'alls equipment will be returned to you.
Ravens: Why Ravens, I have no doubt about you or anyone of these folks here trying to escape. He looks at you and cracks a quite evil smile
Jeneva:Very well spoken My lady, I too reserve very special punishments for those that fail to honor their word...punishments that make your ordeal here at the prison seem like a sunday stroll in the park.
"I for one, find this request quite intriguing and I am willing to take it on." Ta'ruk tells Estidian. He begins to study the books related to the arcane and planes.
After some study, he tells the others, "I can't make out a lot about our destination. Just that Acercerak has put in stout defenses against scrying. Also, the area is very strange in that he has managed to fuse several planes together along with some demiplanes. We will be wise to use any spells that involve going ethereal or astral sparingly within this mixture of planes as it may draw unwanted attention from outsiders whose worlds have been merged. Teleportation may have the same effect as well. Also, Acercerak can somehow resist stone to flesh and stone shape spells. Finally, magic may work differently in some ways on this plane but I'm not sure how that will exactly manifest itself."
Ravens nods, happy to keep quiet until he can escape...or engage in the mission until the rest of the yahoos die and he escapes, his death presumed.
"Oh yeah, that makes sense," Ravens says, sipping his cognac and stoking his cigar. He blows the smoke carelessly at the others.
Well sur Estidian says addressing his new best friend Ravens. Are you and your compatriots ready to go?, I will send you to a ship off the coast where your equipment await. From there you can take the long boats and land on the island.
"I am ready. "
"My studies are complete. Let's get moving."
Ravens swirls his cognac and finishes it off, not truly caring if this was going to be his last real drink of life. He stands abruptly.
"I am ready," he states, setting down the glass. He pauses, considering, and asks one more thing. "Are you sure you wish to sacrifice these to your efforts?" Ravens head bobs at the rest of the party. "What makes you think they will be any better than how the rest of your minions?"
"Are you sure you wish to sacrifice these to your efforts?" Ravens head bobs at the rest of the party.
I don't look at it as a sacrifice, but an opportunity for all of us
"What makes you think they will be any better than how the rest of your minions?"
I gotta feeling bout y'all and my feelings are rarely wrong He says the diminutive fiend in his right eye takes a bow.
With that he escorts you into a side room devoid of anything save a silver pentagram on the floor. If you would? He indicates you should step inside. Once inside Estidian snaps his fingers and you are whisked away and find yourselves standing on the middle of a ships deck. An elderly black woman approaches you. Ah yes, the next group of volunteers, I am Cleopatra Bavmorda the captain of this ship and your guide
She smiles
Will Save
Ravens snarls as he takes in his new location.
Will
Cleopatra looks at Ravens and Jeneva You two are much more than the average squabble aren't you? Your minds are much more resilent then these 3 She indicates Ta'ruk, Skiron and Simon You managed to block me out of your mind completely. Congratulations.
She will offer you all dinner and a comfy bed to rest for the night
We set out first thing in the morning
Settle my gear, do calisthenics, and meditate. Enjoy the fresh air in the company of my new mistress.
Simon is wearing much nicer clothing and carries a short walking stick of very fine make. He carries no obvious weapons or spell casting paraphernalia. Though as always he moves like a jungle cat.
Ravens returns to his gear, a smile upon his face. He regards each piece as an old friend as he inspects each before putting it back on.
The best smile he saves for his agile breastplate...the armor that protects his chest and heart but allows his ample quickness to remain. He lifts his shield next, and puts it aside after checking it for defects. A belt and some small pouches follow, a pair of daggers dangling. Next, a pair of bandoliers go crisscross on his chest, each full of pointy darts.
Ravens picks up one from each bandolier and inspects them. Satisfied by something, Ravens smiles and puts them back. An amulet around his neck, and a haversack follows that.
Finally, he picks up his club and shield, stowing the pair across his back.
I am ready. And once I finish this, they will never capture me ever again. Or they will die trying.
* * *
Ravens, now clad and armored, will explore the boat...walking on deck to observe both the boat and those that work it.
Perception
Ravens: It is a nice cool night, the crew are for the most part asleep in their bunks. The captain and a very dapper looking Simon are sitting up near the front of the ship chit chatting away. As you clank your way up Cleopatra turns her gaze your way Well I must say a bath and a change of clothes does you wonders
A raven caw's from a nearby perch.
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The dancer heads below to the security of her chambers, but is not there long, only enough to change into respectable clothing and retrieve her arms. The long, curved blade and its wooden duplicate were among the most prized of her acquisitions, seized from a foreigner who had thought himself heroic in attempting to intervene on one of her quests; she had with great eagerness claimed his weapons as spoil after her duty otherwise was done, and they had served her well since.
She takes the opportunity while below to acquiesce to the demands of her vanity, taking a quick sponge-bath and braiding her hair, before emerging. Her clothing is now elaborate silk in dark blues, greens, and purples, adorned with silver and white, designed purposely to reveal enough of her skin to show off the elaborate tattoos decorating her arms, legs, parts of her back, and along and around her neck and shoulders. Coiling whips, barbs, swirls, and angles in red, blue, black, green, violet, and gold dance erratically along her skin, forming indecipherable sigils and First World emblems alien and bizarre to Material eyes.
Upon returning, she makes it her mission for the remainder of the evening to spend as much time in the open sea air as possible, retiring only when called for dinner or when the time for rest comes; at all other times she is on deck, somewhere she can observe the sea and the crew.