Nasar gives Marissa a punch to the shoulder and hops off the table. "Of course we are! Having you by my side is way too exciting to give up over an accident."
They walk out the church and Lily looks at Nasar and smiles, Welcome back to the land of the living my friend, you have slept for quite some time.
Genesis looks at Marissa. Are you not going to try and attone?
Marissa clutches her hips in sass and determination. I'm going to show Ragathiel I can bring down a demon without her powers but with the guidance of the code of my clan. That will appease him enough to get my powers back.
Lily can be seen rolling her eyes. Well lets go find some water so we can cast a scrying spell since now that you cant make puddles without someone hurting your feelings. Everyone split ip and regroup at this church when weve found a solution, or a salesperson selling mirrors that are worth quiet a bit.
Genesis cuts in, At least 1000gp to be exact.
Nasar is set free for the minute to help find any leads or a mirror or go shopping or wait for them to come back with a bucket of water.
Nasar walks over to Lily "Mind if we search together for a bit, have a couple things I'd like to discuss with you since we have time."
Lily stutters, Uhhhhhhh ok
And with that they continue down the street walking. Lily looks a little worried, What did you wanna discuss Nasar?
Nasar looks at her with a bit of confusion ”Everything alright Lily? You have the look of a child that broke a vase and now has to face their mother.
Lily starts, Hm? No Im just unsure if I did something wrong. I mean yea the whole tricking Marissa into cold blooded murder but I didnt know if we were past that or not.
Nasar waves off her possible concern about that "More or less past that, seems like Marissa has moved on and found a new purpose whilst being estranged from her god. I wanted to talk cause I wanted to know why you had Marissa feel me up for my soul gem?"
Lily cracks a smile while looking forward as they pass through the streets of the city. Nasar finnaly seeing the city comprised entirely of brass. The sidewalks the buildings the stalls all a sheek bronze color. You know those things have a certain allure to them. Just holding them can entice a persons motives. I wanted her to take a breif trip outside of her comfort zone of her religious bubble. I know thats why she ditched the amulet to get Deract in that summoning circle. She didnt want it on her person it just prompts the greedy nature in someone. she pauses speaking as they turn a corner. Have you ever seen someone convert from one belief to another. Its not for the faint of heart its a long process of enticeing and luring and grooming . she puts a hand up to an efreeti salesman stopping him from trying to sell stuff to them. Imagine if its possible to turn the most righteous of individuals, into the darkest most twisted one you've ever seen. she opens her notebook and shows Nasar a chapter header titled, The Fall of a Paladin.
”You are so fascinating Lily, how long have you been at this with Marissa? The prospect of getting someone to fall so far through temptations...I don’t know why but this sounds very, very fun. Hearing Marissa going against her former god’s code for personal gain was a nice change of pace. If you wouldn’t mind letting me in on this I can assist in this conversion. At the very least I wont get in your way.” Nasar takes out the soul gem and looks it over while letting out a small laugh. ”Before I had this thing, I don’t think I would have been nearly as for this. Guess I’ve already changed myself.”
Lily shrugs, Oh I had a feeling you would. I probed Marissa's brain with a detect thoughts spell and my oh my was there little to nothing in there. Shes very simple and one track minded. And now thats gone. Except for this weird dream she apparently keeps having about Aboleths. You know anything about that?
Nasar puts the stone away in his pocket ”Who would have thought that space between her ears didn’t have much going on... but yes some time ago with my old group we fought an aboleth and- well I cant remember everything exactly but since then i guess she’s been having some sort of dream about them. Have you figured much out about the dream whilst invading her thoughts?”
If she has been checking in of Marissa’s thought...I wonder how much she had listened in on mine
Lily chuckles, Oh boy did I learn, apparently she is manifesting visions of an actual place. She has been cursed to see these visions whenever she sleeps until the connection between the curse and the onject it leads to atr put together once more. Judging by the ecology ive seen of the animals in her visions its a northern shore of Riddleport. But thats besides the point we can go treasure hunting some other time. she taps the book header once more and smiles a develish smile. Ive already talked about it with Genesis while you were out. Genesis has a lust for power, she wants to get powerful enough to take revenge on someone that wronged her for years apparently. She didn't wanna divulge details but it was easy enough to coax her into this sort of- she closes her book. Pit of power I'm attempting to create. And if we can get control of Deract and use that book and keep a solid watch of eachother we can learn the ancient techniques of Shadow users. Who knows what he already got from that one that turned him. she looks Nasar in the eyes questioningly, You saw his sudden shift from 1 to 3 energy bolt to using his 'mortar strikes'? He didn't just pick that up off some combat handbook, he read that book. Who knows what your Ooze is capable of that you just dont realize! she stops and looks into his eyes now with purpose and power, her smile holding such confidence its scary. Don't you lust for power Nasar?
Nasar matches her gaze with a smile of his own ”Y’know, after i kill that dragon and finished off enough work to buy a nice piece of land and be at peace, i was thinking of hanging up the cloak and swords. But with these shadows and working with you, and saving Genesis, I have seen the world that is around me and how i can change it. There are so many people walking around that should be six feet under by now and I don’t mind being the executioner for them. I want to reshape the world by any means necessary so yes I do fancy more power than I have now.”
She stops walking and extends a hand in agreement. So its a team then. You, me, Gen, Marissa, Deract.nand she awaits a handshake as she smiles devilishly.
”Finally making it official eh? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy right now.” Nasar shakes her hand in agreement ”Welcome to the team Lily.”
As there hands connect a Shadowy energy releases of of her as her Babau manifests behind her. A hooded emaciated figure is seen as a pitch black version of what is usually released comes forward. She smiles unmoving but knowing very well what she has manifested. The Blank Babau huh, you always wanted to solidify your spot on my roster you did say that. Lily gestures back to hold the Babaus face under his hood with her long alluring nails. This is my partner in crime that has ran with me for ages, this Babau has seen me through plenty of fights as I've already had to call him out through my demon magic. But now he can take his place as my personal assassin, imbued with the energy of the shadows he now only heeds my call. and with that the Babau nods and vanishes. She winks at Nasar, Now lets go find that mirror. Maybe we can figure out a way of getting one for cheap by 'lifting' one off a stall.
”There has to be a stall here with mirrors, it’d be strange for there to not be one.”
Nasar spots a vanity shop and they walk in the large brass door to find an Efreet man with his feet up in a chair. Beyond him sits a room filled with mirrors on display. Browse the wares let me know if you need anything.
Lily and Nasar move around glancing at the occasional hand mirror. As Lily picks one to inspect it the man can be heard again. Oh yea thats a good one, 750gp he can be seen in the reflection of 4 different mirrors.
A thought probes Nasar in Lily's voice, S@@+... it's gonna be difficult to pocket one of these when he can see us on all sides by just SITTING there. Lemme try something. she puts down the mirror and instead picks up a not so expensive mirror. She walks over to the man who sits upright and looks at the mirror.
That ones not that grand but it'll do what ya need for the low price of 15gp.
Lily gets a bit closer to him and places them both in the perspective of the mirror. You think this really brings out my features don't you huh? You be the judge. she shoots a message to Nasar, Now go see what you can find to take she blocks a few mirrors that Nasar can see no longer shows the Effrets face.
Nasar starts searching through all the mirrors that the shopkeep can’t see looking for something nice and expensive to purchase for free.
With this setup Lily and I could steal from any shop. Way easier than when I would do this solo
Nasar manages to find a super nifty bejeweled silver hand mirror that he quickly but deftly tucks into his shirt.
Lily continues to gush over the man asking about her features and such before finnaly taking out 15gp and handing to the man, Well I think that will be more than enough to buy this lovely mirror. I absolutly adore it and you really sold it to me. So here you go me and my hubby will be off then.
Nasar can definitly tell Lily is putting on an act to leave. The man pockets the money and waves the 2 goodbye as they head off outside the shop. They continue walking down the street without prompting him to show but she asks. Did you get it?
Nasar smiles "Of course I got it, a lovely mirror for my lovely 'wife'. Something of that degree is child's play to me, especially with the added help."
Lily chuckles, Hell yea, now thats teamwork. they take off to head to the church and meet up with the other 2. Marissa sits by the steps with a metal bucket void of liquid. Genesis sits next to her reading her spellbook.
They both hop up to see the 2 returning hefty-handed with a new mirror. Marissa holds the bucket up in sorrow. A genie wished me a bucket of water but it all steamed away before I even got here. But at least I have a nifty brass bucket now.
Genesis chuckles and asks for the mirror from the 2, Nice how much did that cost ya? Looks pretty precious.
Nasar shrugs and looks to Lily "I don't know, three to five minutes tops? So we have the mirror and a nice bucket, but still need water."
Genesis waves off the concern. Oh no I no longer need water if I have a mirror. Its either or. she begins casting the scry spell.
The mirror fogs up and the fog disappears to show Deract laying in a bed with a demon woman, shes feeding him various foods.
Lily frowns, Gross, but how do we know where he is. Is there a window to look out of around his point of view? Genesis looks around in a circle trying to find any sort of indicator as to his location. Just then a giant serpentine figure slithers through a door out of site.
It calls out, My lord, theres a matter to attend to in the throne room.
Deract lets out a huff before standing up. I guess... alrighty honey Deract will be right back to take care of some chumps that need the cities best enforcer. The scry spell follows closely behind as he passes down some steps into a long corridor circling around a large outlook that views the city.
Lily points to the mirror, The west side of town. Look thats the church were at right now so he must be in one of the tallest buildings here!
Deract enters a new building and descends more stairs as he enters a throne room. He looks at the posse that has gathered in his room and he takes a seat on his throne of bones and brass. And why do you want to see me? Make it snappy I got some hottie holding grapes for me and they're going to be raisins before I get back and then I'm gonna get realllll angry.
Mephits begin to speak at Deracts feet that Lily translates. Well sir we wish to purchase from the stalls east of here. But the Efreet there won't allow us sale unless we get a Merchants Voucher from the Emissary of Commerce.
Deract lets out a chuckle. Snooooore thats not me I'm the Emissary of Chaos. But I'll tell you what I'll sign your little waiver BUT you have to pay my fee instead of whatever they are asking. Capiche?
The Mephit nods in agreement. And that would be?
Deract looks at the group of Mephits and smiles, You guys ain't demons but you wouldn't happen to have a soul gem on you would you?
The Mephit bows its head. No your Chaosness we are not in the possession of a soul gem.
Deract pats his leg unamused. Damn... well you got a few of you there. One of you wanna give your life and make one?
The Mephits look worried at the request. B-but we are just lowly merchants trying to acquire trade vouchers? Is a lofe that much neccesar-
Deract stops him as he snaps a finger, CORRECTION HUN, your trying to get a trade voucher from the Emissary of MOTHER F$%#ING CHAOS BABY!! Guards, don't let them leave. They have a desicion to make on whos not leaving. Or I'm making the desicion for them. and with that the serpentine guards move their pikes to stop exit.
The mirror starts to revert back to a mundane mirror. Genesis is seen drawing a symbol of something from a window. Its something resembling a ying yang sign but dark red and various other differences. This is what we need to find. And soon if we wanna save those mephits!
Nasar takes a look at the paper to commit the image to memory before looking up at his crew. ”Alright, lets fan out and search for that symbol, with the four of us looking it shouldn’t take too long.”
The crew heads to the west side of town and finds the building within minutes and all gather at the front of the large brass gate where in lies the inner yard of the Emmisaries tower. 2 large serpentine bodies guard the front gate with large pitchforks that blaze with fiery heat. They look at the party but pay them no mind as they pass by.
Lily looks to the guards and back to the crew that stands across the way. S!@% he has guards, how are we supposed to get through? Any ideas? OH wait I got it. I'm going to teleport inside, cause those 2 to come inside after me. Then you guys tail behind without raising any suspicion. All you have to do is get inside those doors beyond that gate. Got it?
Nasar nods at the plan ”Just don’t get yourself captured in there, last thing we need is to rescue more people when already on a rescue mission. I’ll have to use this time to quickly heal up some more... I still have some nagging pain from the earlier fight and I should probably be closer to 100%.” Nasar sets his bag on the ground and kneels at is, using the cover of being inside his bag and his teammates around him as cover as he heals himself some more.
Lily pauses for a moment. Wait a second... I just remembered something. Here walk up with me guys.
She leads the party up to the gate and begins speaking, Excuse meeee sir. This wouldn't happen to be the home of the uhh... Emmisary of Chaos would it? a mind telegram hits Nasars brainstem. I totally forgot these guys love demons, lets just talk our way in.
The Salamander sets his spear upright. Why yes he is currently with a few other folks at the moment. Do you have an appointment or urgent need to speak with him?
Lily smiles at the large salamander, Why yes I do have an appointment he said something about executing a subject for a soul gem that they did not wanna give up. This is the crew who does the executing.
Lilys forked tounge lets the words fall right out and into the salamanders ears. Well in that case come through. Those dorty mephits dont want to make the decision so by all means if Deetrium sent for you. and woth that they open the gate and the begin their walk to the the inner door. It is unlocked for you to enter at your leisure. says the salamander before letting them proceed.
Nasar follows his ticket in through the door, coming up close besides Lily so he can speak without any unwanted listeners hearing his conversation. "So this title that he keeps referring himself by, this emmisary thing. Was this what he did before he got nicked by those angels?"
Lily laughs, Well not entirely, he was a diplomatic figure under Jurastist's rule. But he was no 'Emissary of Chaos'. He was just the rulers little brother. See salamanders hold demons with high esteem so its no wonder he managed to quickly secure some kind of spot here in this part of town that has plenty of them. I doubt he will come easy too so be prepared to rough up a few heads just in case. Lily gets ready to open the door.
Nasar smiles before pulling up the his mask "I wouldn't have it any other way, let's kick some ass and get the hell out of here."
Lily presses open the giant brass doors to find a large central throne room and various rooms to the sides. In front of them stands two more salamanders that tower over them by several feet with their spears crossed to prevent escape. A dogpile of Deract and 4 mephits sits in the middle of the room with Deract trying to strangle the one but the others preventing it. The talisman sits around his neck ready to be used as soon as the mephit expires. The two guards look back at the new entrants though Deract is too consumed in his current task to care.
One of the salamanders seems confused they've been let in and says aloud. Uhh... sir, it seems you have more visit-
Deract shouts cutting him off. Quiet! Can't you see I'm trying to claim whats rightfully mine!?
Nasar eyes Deract and resists the urge to charge at him with his blades drawn, instead he gives some quiet words for his team before the combat ensues. "Genesis, could you please pick some nice magic to try and take out the unnecessary company. We have some unfinished business and I would like to expedite the process. Lily, Marissa, Let's go beat some sense into our lost comrade."
Genesis casts Deep Slumber that fires off on both Salamanders.
Both Salamanders drop their spears and flop to the ground.
Lily immediatly takes the oppurtunity to hop over the fallen salamanders and jumps up and right behind her Babau appears and she propells off his torso to send a super solid punch right into Deracts side. Its sends him off the dog pile releasing the choking mephit.
Deract looks up in pain, What the hell who di- he realizes who has delivered the blow. Uh... He surveys the room to see his guards asleep and Marissa marching towards him.
She scoops him up like the toddler he is and holds her gauntlet over his mouth to stop him from screaming. He seems VERY frustrated to be in this predicament.
A very muffled Deract speaks, Mphf phf phf 'ouat 'aoe 'ou 'oing heoe! Marissa takes her gaunlet out thats now filled with spit. How the hell did you guys find me?
"I must really thank you Deract, when you wished us luck in coming to get you by force it must of really helped cause this didn't take too long. Now for the fun part." Nasar takes out a blade and kneels next to one of the salamanders. "I will finish cutting the chaff whilst Lily and Marissa... well I would say help you but I think the both of them have some pent up frustrations they can work out on your head."
Certainly don't need you two waking up anytime soon so let's just CUT to the chase. Hehe i'm so clever.
Nasar coup de grace one of the salamanders before moving onto the next one.
Nasar readies his talisman on the soon to be dead salamander to get another soul gem before moving on to executing the other passed out guard.
The salamander takes a nice forever nap as Nasar once again focuses his talisman to get another soul flavored fizzy pop out the tiny vending machine. Nasar pockets the new soul gem and proceeds to slip his blade in the next one, ending his existence.
Lily take a jab at Deracts gut, You give me sass over coming back, she delivers another punch. You make me walk through the g&*@!*n desert to find some metal! she clocks him over the head. Marissa lost her paladin powers not to mention I had to throw her from like 60 feet in the air. AND Nasar got his s##% rocked by multiple assailants.
Marissa pushes him into Lilys arms as she fits her gauntlet nicely into his stomache. And here we find you trying to take some poor mephits soul! she bonks him over the head too. What are you doing playing king in a city of genies. This is no place for you!
Deract now very beat up and bruised can barely get a word out as hes just been trashed. Its... its not my fault, I just like woke up this morning and got told everything that happened over the last 3 days. I swear I've been asleep but these guys tell me different! Please stop hitting me! Im just doing what they said my job was!
After cleaning the blood off his blade Nasar makes way towards the bullying, twirling his blade "Why don't I remind you then Deract. We were fighting some s**$head shadow user that took over two cities, you ended up seriously injured and banished here. Once the fight was done we summoned you back so we could get back to work on taking down Jurastis but instead you went full on dumbass and refused to work. So here we are!"
Deract waves his hands trying to deescalate the situation. No yea see the salamanders said I did that but like... I WOULDNT DO THAT I WANTED TO GO HOME!
Deract does seem to be telling the truth through his confusion. I woke up this morning since I passed out from the fight that I DO REMEMBER and I was in a lavish bed with this hot chick who wanted to feed me so like OF COURSE I'm gonna get fed by some cutie. I asked her how I got here and she questioned how I didnt remember. And the worst part was she kept calling me my old name ohhh if she wasn't so fricken cute I'd have sent her out the room!
Once Nasar gets up to the rest of the group, he speaks with a tight grip on his blade "So then are you saying you do remember everything or you don't. We were running on the assumption you read that damn black book and had gone mad."
Deract lets out a light laugh, Well yea I read the book like a week ago but like... nothing wrong with me? See these guys took care of me and 3 days later I'm apparently their Emmisary of Chaos. I for one like the title that was my first 'buisness' I had to attend to since I woke up this morning. he looks over to the mephits sitting in the corner afraid of what comes next. I think I handled it pretty well.
"Well while you were-" Nasar stops speaking and looks over to the mephits. "Are their legs broken or something, why are they still here?" He shakes his head and turns back to Deract "Well Deract while you were here playing emmisary the angels got pissed that you vanished. So it's time to get back to work. Don't you remember talking about adventuring and "always running into a new fire pit of possibilities"? Why would you want to settle now?"
Lily barks an order to the mephits that sounds as if a spontaneous conflagration occurred. They hightail it outta there over the 2 bodies.
Deract still held by Lily shakes his head. Its not that I'm settling I'm simply doing the job set before me until I can get home! And this is my ticket!
Lily laughs, Yea b++##!@&, Marissa knock him out just so he gets to feel like half the party.
Deract squeals, NONONONO WAI-
Deract slumps out of Lilys arms unconscious. She pats her hands on her pants and looks around, Time to go home?
Nasar sheaths his blade and let’s out a sigh of relief ”Yea let’s head home, im dying to take a bath, the heat here isn’t for me. Good work everyone”
The brass doors thry entered through open once more as the 2 salamanders from the front gate slither in. The mephits look to have all exited your chaosness. What seems to be th- The salamanders see the 2 dead guards, one bloodied Deract, and bloodied knuckles a plenty. The guards grasp their pikes and get into an offensive stance as Genesis hop skip n jumps back over to the party. Back away from the demon! the guard yells out.
Lily takes a step away, Uhh... me or him or like... I dont know. We're not out of the woods yet guys, if we leave now they will know our faces.
”Oh no what ever shall we do...” Nasar takes out his blades, readied for combat ”We’ve slain to of you guards and took out your Emissary without issue, we aren’t even scratched yet. what makes you two think you even stand a chance against us!”
The salamander looks unfazed as Nasar tries to bully them. The salamander slams his spear against the ground 2 times letting pur a ring of the brass that vibrates through the throne room, We have intruders!
And the 2 ready their spears and begin closing in on the team. They stand 25 feet away from Nasar and the gang.
Multiple vibrations can be heard coming back through the throne room as multiple other spunds can be heard.
INTRUDERS!! THE THRONE ROOM!!
TO THE THRONE ROOM AT ONCE!!
”I hate reinforcements, always slowing down the inevitable.” Nasar closes the gap on one of the salamander’s, doing a yummy tumble because that spear looks pretty long.
After finishing his hopefully successful tumble, Nasar takes a swing with his kukri.
Nasar runs up and tumbles through the spears reach as he closes the gap and goes for a hefty slice. He slashes into the large serpent and Nasar can feel an intense heat emanate off the 2 as he gets close.
The 2 salamanders both lash out with their tails in attempts to subdue Nasar.
Nasar manages to dodge the whip-like tails as they sail past him.
4 more salamanders apear from behind the throne area and they survey the area before fanning out. Marissa, Lily, and Genesis also fan out to cover more area though Genesis falls into the middle area to pelt the enemy with spells.
uh-oh looks like that salamander made the critical error of fighting a rogue on the rogue's terms. With a twirl of a blade and a little dipsie-doodle, Nasar goes to fake with the cutlass and cut the salamander on the noodle.
.
.
The salamander slaps Nasars hands away stopping the blade and grabbing his wrist and pushing Nasar away. Another 2 tails lash out against him.
A flaming hot tail lashes out and slaps Nasar across the side. The heat singes him but he manages to not get grabbed.
Lily whizzes a cold bomb that crashes against a salamander. It grunts in pain as the cold cracks the salamanders skin and calms the flames for a second. 2 salamanders attack Marissa on both sides as she fends off the attacks with her armor and sheild.
1 of the salamanders makes his way over to Deract and whips out a potion of healing that he begins funneling down the demons throat.
Deracts eyes open and the salamander says aloud, Your excellency, these assailants were here to take you away let us protect you. to which Deract looks up and halts the fighting.
Deract seems much more proper when he speaks this time around eschewing any tom-foolery thats usually in his voice. Stopp stop this at once. There is no need for quarrel I can tell by the look of that man he means no harm. And... Lillith! Is that really you after all this time?!
Lily looks perplexed at how hes speaking. She speaks in a low tone barely audible across the room.What the f#$k did he just say?
Deract steps up and goes to shake Lilys hand, Has my brother sent for me after all this time? You can tell him I am perfectly fine here as an Emmisary of Chaos for these people of the City of Brass. Or does other buisness bring you here?
Lily is speachless...