GM Tyranius Tyrant's Grasp (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Long tables run the length of the northern and eastern walls here. Several low-backed wooden chairs are pushed up to the tables, with one knocked onto its side at the end of the northern table. Scrolls and parchments haphazardly cover the two tables and even spill onto the floor. Many small sconces emanating light are situated at regular intervals above the tables, providing ample light to read by.

A horrid little creature perches on a chair, poring over the parchments. A merging of an emaciated woman and a porcupine, this sinister creature smells of death and decay.

"Ee-hee! What's this? Some lambs have come to the slaughter! The Pallid Princess provides a bounty today!" the creature cackles.

Round 1
Aishe (39/46)
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Kalamuk (Nature to ID)
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Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
Atium (86/86; Raging 100/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE Nekomata Disease)
Tessenarin (45/45)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 Know (Nature)

Vanyan's lips trip over themselves trying to get the words out for what he sees.

Round: 1

Though he dearly wants to move into the room, he knows what sort of pain that will bring. So he settles for a 5' step and shoots through the door, and cover, at their new found friend. He does ease up on the deadly aim so as to improve his aim, and he prays to Abadar with his last shot for a steady hand!*

Crossbow: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 4 = 21 (cover) damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Crossbow: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 4 = 19 (cover) damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Crossbow, touch attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 4 = 3 (cover) damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

* Sharp Shoot (Ex): Resolve attack against touch AC when firing at a target within the first range increment.

Good shooting aishe!

This creature is a pukwudgie. Its quills, like those of a porcupine, help protect the small creature but are also dangerous offensive weapons, for the quills hold a deadly poison that animates those it slays as zombies.

A pukwudgie usually stays away from well-traveled areas and humanoid settlements, but may sometimes slip into small villages in the night to steal children. The little horrors enjoy the tender flesh of newborn babies immensely, and are often willing to go through great personal risk to secure infantile repasts when they are available.

Aishe decides to add a couple more quills of his own to the pukwudgie's back. It gasps in pain as a ghostly scythe appears between Aishe and Atium. It strikes down at the archer's neck.

Spiritual Weapon vs Aishe AC 18: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 2
Aishe (35/46)
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Kalamuk (-15)
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Round 1
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
Atium (86/86; Raging 100/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE Nekomata Disease)
Tessenarin (45/45)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)

Tessenarin begins his angry song, then steps behind Aishe and takes a shot with his bow

longbow: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 4 = 17

Round 1

Vanyan steps into the room, moving to the left as he checks out the territory. "Uh, who are you?" he asks, hoping for the best, but not expecting an answer.

He casts Produce Flame and offers a blast towards the weird creature.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 ranged touch;
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 fire damage

Atium moves towards the pork-u-pine. His hammer out.
Time to bend some quills freak.

attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Magic +2 WH damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 PA
well, that's not a good roll.....

Vinas rushes into the room to aid Atium! Double move.

Round: 2

Aishe moves a little closer, in part hoping to avoid the spiritual weapon (though that's not gonna happen I bet), and in part to gain some advantage as he takes a single shot (deadly aim back on, rapid shot off).

Crossbow: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 = 26 (PB, song, cover) damage: 1d8 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 3 = 15 (PB, song)

Vanyan tosses a bit of flames over the srange creature's shoulder. "There is no need for names. it is time for the feast!" Atium and Vinas hold back on their attacks as it is hard to get through the quills. tessenarin's bow misses and Aishe is the only one able to land an attack as his bolt joins the rest.

Raising a disgusting holy symbol for Urgathoa in the air a pulsating negative energy ripples through the room. Should hit all but Tessenarin.

Channel Negative Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 DC 17 Will for half of the worst channel ever

Round 3
Aishe (35/46)
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Kalamuk (-30)
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Round 2
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
Atium (86/86; Raging 100/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
Tessenarin (45/45)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)

Round: 3

I think you forgot the spiritual weapon Tyranius...

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 vs DC 17 for half of 2 hp.

Aishe shrugs as the cloying dark energy tries to take hold of his strength. He’s felt worse, and focuses on the task at hand as he shoots thrice more (rapid shot back on, deadly aim back off).

Crossbow: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 = 14 (PB, song, cover) damage: 1d8 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 3 = 14 (PB, song)
Crossbow: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 2 = 23 (PB, song, cover) damage: 1d8 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 3 = 11 (PB, song)
Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 2 = 13 (PB, song, cover) damage: 1d8 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 3 = 14 (PB, song)

I did. Thanks!

The ghostly scythe wobbles in the air and slices down at Tessenarin's shoulder.

Spiritual Weapon vs Tessenarin: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

I think you forgot the spiritual weapon Tyranius...

Spiritual Weapon vs Tessenarin: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Totally not funny. :)

Round 2

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Will

Vanyan's face scrunches up as the porcujerk's unholy fart barely washes over him.

'What was that? I've had worse from Atium on beans night!" he growls as he tosses another ball of flame and moves back.

1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18 ranged touch; (bard)
1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7 fire damage

Tessenarin moves up and takes a shot at the creatures while continuing to sing.

longbow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Will: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 "Pitiful!"

Vinas follows up with two thrusts. The first is far to defensive in nature, so he makes a hard swing follow up.

ATK 1: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 = 15 MISS
ATK 2: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20 for DMG: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Beans are all that were in the Iron Rations. You open a food packet and it's all brown foods. Do you know what brown foods do to a Ulfen's system? We got to have meat in our diiet.

Atium swings at the Prickly pear shaped form.

WH: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 Attack 1 damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

WH: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Attack 1 damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
and a SMASH to the Porcupine's FACE!
crit follow-up.
crit check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Strangely enough each of you feels unaffected by the course of negative energy as your bodies absorb the foul energies.

Vanyan burns Kalamuk with his small balls of fire. Atium's warhammer proves a bit more effective at staying clear of the porcupine needles covering most of its backside.

Tessenarin, Vinas and Aishe's attacks all have problems making it through the defenses. Kalamuk grunts and tries to push out a stronger field.

Channel Negative Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7 DC 17 Will for half.

The ghostly scythe continues to wreck Tessenarin as he cannot escape it.

Spiritual Weapon vs Tessenarin: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Round 4
Aishe (35/46)
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Kalamuk (-66)
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Round 3
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
Atium (86/86; Raging 100/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
Tessenarin (39/45)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)

will save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Tessenarin curses in Elvish as he's hit by the scythe and takes another shot at Kalamuk

longbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Round 3

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 Will

Vanyan's face scrunches up as the porcujerk's unholy fart barely washes over him.

"Did any of you not feel that?" he asks the party, confused.

1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22 ranged touch; (bard)
1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11 fire damage

Round: 4

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 vs DC 17 for half of 7 hp.

Frustrated at his inability to hit, with even a decent shot, he changes his tactics a little given his ever dwindling arrow supply. He takes but a single shot, and prays too Abadar for aid.* (Deadly aim on, rapid shot off.)

Crossbow, touch attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 2 = 23 (PB, song, cover) damage: 1d8 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 3 = 19 (PB, song)

* Sharp Shoot (Ex): Resolve attack against touch AC when firing at a target within the first range increment.

Vinas slides to the side, "Atium, flank'em!" He then swings twice, hoping to get through the defenses finally:

ATK 1: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21 for DMG if hit: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12
With a frsutrated growl he tries again:
ATK 2: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24 for DMG if hit: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12

Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 DC 17

Got it!
Atium makes certain to get into tactical position to beset divert the porcupine's attention.

He swings his hammer.
attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 2 = 30 PA flank damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26 PA Flank damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Again the negative energy is absorbed, leaving each of you unharmed. Something within seems to be protecting you since returning from the Boneyard.

Vanyan questions the strange occurrence and continues to bathe Kalamuk in flames. The embers flicker dully from one quill to another in the mesmerizing way that fire plays. Atium's warhammer thrusts the quills right into his back and breaking them off by the dozen.

Vinas and Tessenarin continue to miss, though Aishe lines up a deadeye shot and plucks a bolt right into Kalamuk's face, killing the pukwudgie.

Kalamuk holds a +1 chain shirt, +1 heavy mace, unholy symbol of Urgathoa.

The papers strewn about the tables are personal letters and other writings from the priests who used to dwell here. The right historian or religious scholar might be very interested in such a collection and will pay 500 gp for it. Alternatively, returning these papers to a church of Sarenrae in a major city is sure to garner gratitude and a future favor.

While glancing through the papers, you come across a priest's diary entry that states concern over "Sister Fillimann’s fascination for poisons and venoms." The journal goes on to worry that, "If the purple worm venom she recently acquired from a passing trader were to spill, one of us might be in serious jeopardy!"

The eastern door in this room leads into a guest room. Two small writing desks are pushed up against the western wall here, while two matching beds occupy the eastern half of the room. One of the beds is neatly made, but the other’s covers are torn and shredded, likely from the pukwudgie's quills.

The western door leads to the priests' dormitory. Five bunk beds fill this rectangular chamber, many of their sheets messily rumpled and their pillows tossed to the ground. Two small chests can be seen under each bunk bed. Among many small personal effects, such as a rusting iron locket shaped like a sphere, a tiny silver spoon, and a sketchbook filled with drawings of local flora, you find what must be Sister Fillimann's chest. Hidden inside a false bottom is a vial of purple worm poison with 3 doses of the potent stuff.

"Vinas, I would assume you do not wish to keep this symbol of the Pallid Princess. Shall we have Atium destroy it? I also would like to g gather these papers. They may be important to someone. Assuming we find any normal humans again. But certainly once we leave the coffer we will find normal people again? Right?"

Vanyan helps identify the found magics, then scan the rooms for anything the party might have missed. He describes any magics he finds.

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 Perception

"Purple worm venom? Not sure we should be keeping that, but you never know. I'm not exactly a poisoner, but it might come in handy," Vanyan shrugs.

He does carefully collect the Sarenraen notes.

If there is nothing else here, he will move to be ready to go into the next room. Given more time, he might have cleant off that chain shirt for wear, but now is not that time.

Surprised the negative energy didn’t harm him, he’ll comment as he picks up his misses and checks them for damage low is bad for me: 6d2 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1) = 8.

”He kept clenching up. Do you think he needed the outhouse? Or was he trying to do something?” He’ll ask the smarter folk in the group who know such things. He’ll then line up at the next door and keep his eyes open while the others search. He turns down the venom and agrees with Tessenarin's suggestions.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

"Poison use is anathema to me. Additionally, I think Tess is right, we should get those papers to someone proper. I'd prefer the church itself. As for the symbol. I'm happy to destroy it myself."

Looking about Vinas settles on the fact that there's only one place left. "Let us be done here. It's time."

”He kept clenching up. Do you think he needed the outhouse? Or was he trying to do something?”

"Yeah, it's like he had a quill stuck up there or something," Vanyan agrees. "Something was constipating him up there, that's for sure."

Vanyan readies outside the final door. He will cast Bless from the staff when others are in position. Should last 7 minutes.

A comfortable-looking overstuffed couch, upholstered in red and gold, sits against the western wall of this square room. A small table flanked by two wooden chairs occupies the southeastern corner under a large tapestry of a fiery-haired winged woman wielding a scimitar encased in flame.

Vinas scans for evil, giving a nod for another to scan for magic.

Vanyan follows others in, letting Vinas or Atium go in first. He stands near the couch and looks around.

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 Perception

Aishe will check out the desk as he lines up for the next door.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Atium listens to the subject of poisons.
Shrugging. Vinas said some word he *really* didn't understand. Thank goodness for posture, body language and facial ques.

If it upsets Vinas, then the poison should not be used. We need to keep the man happy. Maybe we can sell it to another academic who wants to study antidotes. But using it against his express wishes......
Atium pauses.
turning to Vinas.
You were saying you didn't like the blue stuff. Right? You used such a big Absalom word, I couldn't tell.

Atium is actually intrigued by the skull fly medallion. If the others don't press to destroy it immediately, he takes it for keeping and maybe future destruction.

The negative energy conversation goes over his head. I also moved Atium on the map.

The western half of this room contains a large mahogany desk, its sides covered with intricate carvings of paladins striking down fiendish foes and undead beasts. The detail of the etchings is incredibly intricate, showing detailed patterns on each knight’s armor. Two sets of shelves, each filled with texts and holy icons, stand against the western and southern walls. Ornate rugs cover the floor, many bearing large, dark bloodstains. A round, wooden table surrounded by several chairs stands opposite a door to the south.

Seated at the table are a familiar-looking party of five men. It's all of you--or rather, undead versions of you, with tight leathery skin, sunken eyes, and emaciated frames. Your bodies turn to stare at you, hate burning in their milky eyes.

A slender man with white hair sits behind the desk with his feet up and the chair tilted slightly back. He holds a thumb-sized chunk of gray flesh in one hand and a magnifying glass in the other, but drops them both to the floor when he sees you. The man seems genuinely surprised at the two matching groups in the room.

“Well, isn’t this a turn? There’s far too many of you to be a trick of those oversized house cats.” He stands. “Do come in, and perhaps we can solve the mystery of how you can be in two places at once, both alive and dead!”

A raven on the bookshelf behind the desk flaps its wings and lets loose a screech. “Quiet, Midnight,” the pale man says. “We have fascinating visitors. Be polite, or I’ll roast you on a spit and eat your beak dipped in honey.”

Colored you all yellow to avoid confusion on this.

Ah piddlespot no. No. No. No. I did not sign up for this.

Vanyan attempts to just peek in and see what is going on, but his 'peek' immediately shifts to a long, prolonged stare.

What the everloving piddlespot?!

His glance barely flicks back to the man in the back, but it does flick for a moment as Vanyan tries for every advantage.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29 Know (Religion) Arcana +10. Local/Nature +11.

"Yeah, this is a headscratcher. Do *you* have any theories? Because I'm the smart one in this group and it's probably who will tell you that whatever theory you have is full of shit," Vanyan replies.

"Why don't you tell me your theory?"

"No, you may use it so long as the law of the land does not forbid it."

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Vinas is silent, completely silent. He drills into the auras of the figures in this room. First the undead Vinas, then the man who spoke. Then the others.

This is creepy. Beyond Creepy.

"yes, what madness is this? Much like Vanvan, I would like to hear what kind of theory you can tell us about this."

"Ah, oh. That's not right." Aishe raises his crossbow, putting the unwholesome man in the crosshairs. He awaits reports from Vinas and Vanyan before pulling the trigger however.

Vanyan recognizes your bodies as risen Juju Zombies. They resist damage from weapons except for magical slashing ones, resist fire, and are immune to cold, electricity, and magic missiles.

Vinas scans the room, trying to divide out the auras. each figure in the room giving off a faint aura of evil.

The man smirks and shakes his head at Tessenarin. “Now, now, don’t get testy. The undead versions of you have much better manners. You generally introduce ones self first.” The pale man smiles. “My name is Valthazar Quietus, and I am in charge of the little band of miscreants you must have already encountered. More to the point, who might you be? Let us indulge our curiosities.”

"Let's indulge nothing. You obviously know us. Don't insult us. Speak Valthazar, and do it quickly and plainly. Who are you and what is this all about?"

Vanyan shrugs.

”You know who we are...we are they,” Vanyan points at the jujus. ”In a way, but we die-died and nearly found Pharasma’s judgement, but were called back here. And now we are here. That’s what I know.”

”Now, your turn.”

Of freakin’ course juju zombies are resistant to fire. #@$!@$#

Aishe resists the urge to shoot, but he says nothing, not wanting to share himself with one so unwholesome.

He waits for the opportunity, stepping forward a bit to get a better view.

“I should be asking you the same, but in the interest of sharing information, I will go first. We are combing through the ruins of the nearby town looking for... items of interest for my superiors.” Without looking down, Valthazar flips a small ledger on the desk closed. "We found these corpses in that quaint little town and they spoke to me. Not literally, of course. Well, not until I had them reanimated, anyway!” He chuckles at his own turns of phrase. “But who are they? Are you several sets of identical twins? Perhaps you or they are simulacra given life of their own? This is quite vexing."

"Certainly an improvement from what I’m seeing in front of me now, to be honest.” Valthazar turns to look at the collected undead. “I suspect they would say the same thing.” At this, all of the juju zombies nod in eerie unison.

He smiles, clasping his hands together. "Now I have shared some of my information, you may kindly share some of yours as this is how polite conversation works. You might learn a thing here." He looks to Tessenarin. "I may know of your bodies, but I do not know your names and do please go on with an explanation on how you escaped Pharasma's Judgement and made it through my wall of poisonous fog. I am quite curious."

Ninja'd!

Atium can be young and naive. He can also be a bean spiller.. so here's some spilled beans.

Yeah. We ended up in Rosslers coffins, got out of there and I know I saw the big moon that looks at the dead. Groetus, is his name- I think. We were in the Boneyard, and there were funny talking Psychopomps.
But we got out of there by walking back down the road of the dead. Hitting each waystation and making deals we got screwed on at each station.
Which, we have discovered, means that any deal you might want to make will backfire on us.

Oh, oH, OH! How did you make the whole town of Rosslers Coffer explode like that? Boom! Everyone was dead. in the Boneyard, it happened so fast most townsfolk didn't even know they were dead! Didn't E-V-E-N know!

(after being ninja'd)

Atium of Varg

"Not that I believe it will matter much, but my name is Tessenarin, and I was a cook in the town before..... whatever happened here. I do believe my friend here has basically given you the explanation of what happened to us. Perhaps our bodies were restored to us in the Boneyard. Perhaps. It would seem to require a great power to do such a thing."

"And who are these 'masters' of yours?"

Aishe keeps his tongue firmly in his head, having no interest in helping some creature with an undead fetish who raised his own dead body.

He can't advance to shoot easily with Atium in the way, and doesn't want to be exposed to the slathering juju zombies anyway, so he waits.

Vanyan has nothing to add at this time, beaten to the punch by Atium's speech.

He may opine more shortly, even as his hands tighten around his staff.

Yeah. We ended up in Rosslers coffins, got out of there and I know I saw the big moon that looks at the dead. Groetus, is his name- I think. We were in the Boneyard, and there were funny talking Psychopomps.

But we got out of there by walking back down the road of the dead. Hitting each waystation and making deals we got screwed on at each station.
Which, we have discovered, means that any deal you might want to make will backfire on us.

Oh, oH, OH! How did you make the whole town of Rosslers Coffer explode like that? Boom! Everyone was dead. in the Boneyard, it happened so fast most townsfolk didn't even know they were dead! Didn't E-V-E-N know!

Valthazar’s eyes grow wide and the raven caws once more. “That can’t be right, can it? Yet it would explain the peculiar... emptiness... of your corpses, if your spirits in the Great Beyond somehow acquired new bodies of flesh and blood. That would require some powerful and unusual magic, though. This definitely requires further study.”

He seems deep in though only to be broken off by Tessenarin's question.

"And who are these 'masters' of yours?"

“That’s a rude question, as we’re a secret society, but considering the openness with which we’re working here, my agreement would merely confirm your suspicion. So, yes. The time is coming when we will no longer need to remain hidden and can advance our agendas more directly. My work here supports that.” He sighs. "Alas, even highly regarded field agents such as myself are given information only on a need-to-know basis. But I’m no fool. I’ve realized the destruction of this insignificant community was merely a test, and likely a harbinger of greater things to come.”

A new twinkle is seen in his eyes and he smiles. This is the twinkle of discovery. "Now then, Shall we discover the true reason behind your duplicated physical bodies?"