Omdor Hammershield continues to watch over the party, the android especially.
Not knowing exactly what this contingent was up to but knowing his planar substrates better than most, the Curator recognizes problems when he sees them. If only he had a way to convey his concerns to the other members of the Organization here swiftly, he would encourage them to try to take the terrible deal and follow this problem to the source. But of course, that depended on what their actual goal was.
"Ah, kolphane," he says. "Wonderful, nasty stuff. I tried it once, probably two hundred years ago. I'm quite glad I never got addicted, but ah, you have my sympathies."
Azzim nodded, "Well that is unfortunate for you. There are cures for that kind of thing, but they always come with strings attached..."
Then a thought crossed his mind and he asked a rather delicate question. "Is your recovery operation something you're doing alone? Understandable if so, but with help you could surely obtain more and higher quality materials..."
Azzim hoped he could figure out if this guy had any accomplices, or alternatively if they could sweet talk him into showing them where the temporal substrate came from - all the better to know where to repair the damage. The Hartwig would have to be dealt with one way or another, but in his heart Azzim always preferred to avoid violence if possible.
Rollo thinks for a moment.
Rollo begin voicing the questions that Azzim seems to also be having...
So, Azzim. That hotdog we had easier seems to become spoiled.
Outside, in the small gambling room: Eyeing the green lizard croupier, Terex feels certain he's an imposer - all other the reptile croupiers are "sun lizards", natives of various planes of law, clearly employed for their unerring sense of duty. This is some other lizard species cleverly and deeply disguised as a typical sun lizard (painted or tattooed scales, internal inset to simulate special ridges, poison sacks taped-up etc). The green lizard croupier does, however, surrender his winnings box with the attendant as he leaves the small room but then moves stealthily towards front door.
Inside the private room: Everyone hears, whispered in their ears, "Greetings brothers, we are coming from the plane of Regrewn where our mission is. This character has been apparently looting the base planar material of that world from some inner complex within it. We traced it here, through a direct gateway (which shouldn't be), and are trying to discover its method of operation. It doesn't seem directly part of The Traders but clearly is serving their interests. I am Jocinth, mostly a communication specialists for this very experienced party. I can relay messages to others if need-be. Our contact is Ari" (Standing in background, Jocinth has the aspect of nobly and fancily dressed Aasimar).
Meanwhile, Azzim in the guise of a Guzharthi wheedles and threaten the Hartwig in the masterful manner. Without realizing it has revealed anything, Hartwig reveals virtually everything.
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Terexaltherin isn't quite sure what this not-sun lizard is up to. Were they simply gathering information? Or are they somehow smuggling some of the temporal substrate out with them?
As stealthily as he can, the disguised dragon scans the imposter for magic, then cautiously reaches out with his mind to read its surface thoughts.
Terex is able to read the green lizard's surface for a short time before the creature turns and (apparently) enters the large, main room (from which it's possible to exit the building...).
The creatures thoughts are focused on how much planar material it has caused to be stored placed in the vaults of this gambling hall and trying to come up with schemes for transporting it out (which seems to imply some or all of the material is mostly here, in this hall, stored as winnings of the house).
Well hot damn.
The Curator isn't sure whether this is coming telepathically, but he broadcasts back a focused greeting to Jocinth just in case.
So it seemed like this particular mission was larger in scope than the one he had been sent on. Not necessarily more important--nothing like that--but just bigger. (Interplanar fugitives were, after all, dangerous in their own way.) But this seemed like fun and had leads that the Curator had been unable to find for his own mission. For now, his target could be put to the side and hunted again later.
"And all you need to get us better stock is an advance, yes?" the Curator says. He pulls out a datapad to consider what personal funds he still had available to contribute. A full bust probably wasn't feasible yet, but learning more about the operation would be critical.
Azzim thought back, "We may need to raid this place to recover the materials, probably a good idea to try and find if they have a vault."
Mysterious necromancer at this gambling hall two years ago seems a bit important. Can you expound upon that particular subject a bit more?
The Curator considers finances - he and Rollo's party has the vast financial resources of The Organization behind it and items with them worth 50K of universal gold. But The Pillars of Time operate on more rarefied finances of planar power and you have twelve time tokens - ten you were given by Arjunara and two you won.
The mission to find Fentor Fizzlebrow had a good likelihood of failure but it's payoff would have been huge. The gnome had provided The Dark Traders and others with considerable resources.
The mission of the other party began as a more conventional for The Organization - save a particular world (). It has spilled over to the semi-mythical realm of The Pillars Of Time and who knows how much complicated it could get if a raid on a gambling house is attempted.
And a raid on this gambling house would require carefully staking it and could get you and the organization powerful new enemies.
Rollo is able to further interrogate the Hartwig sufficiently to determine that the "necromancer" carefully hid clues to it's identity during all it's contacts.
A raid doesn't seem like a good idea unless we have no other choice. If we could win the resources back, that would be best. But first we should close off the portals--see how much you can get out of this thing about the portals, particularly where all of them are, and if anyone is opening more, Terexaltherin 'says' as he slips into the room with the others and reports. We can send a request in for some more resources to put up as stakes to try to win the temporal infrastructure back while we're working on closing the portals.
"Yes, closing these portals seems like the first priority, then somehow retrieving the lost materials. But what to do with our friend here? It seems we should take him with us to point out the mischief but how? Can Azzim stay in disguise indefinitely? Also the loss of the planar materials seems likely responsible for time paradoxes we saw back in Regrewn. How shall we deal with them? Just play it by ear?" sends Jocinth.
As much as I enjoy a good ol' fashion raid, this would not be advisable. Perhaps, we simply follow this fine gentleman to his source.
As much as I enjoy a good ol' fashion raid, this would not be advisable. Perhaps, we simply follow this fine gentleman to his source.
Omdor Hammershield frowns slightly at Rollo's suggestion. Perhaps the dwarf was looking for a little action. Oh well.
Almost bursting with laughter, the Sage holds it in while shaking his head at the obviously distraught dwarf!
I will bet that your time will fast approaching, my friend.
Azzim gave the mental equivalent of a shrug, 'Well lets see if we can prevail upon the Hartwig. As for the disguise, it'll last most of the day but not indefinitely.'
Azzim suggested to the Hartwig, "So how about this for a trade, you show us these portals and in return, we cure your kolphane addiction. It might be a good idea to close some of the portals, so we have exclusive access to all the best stuff? What do you say?"
If we *can* help him with his addiction, we should. Can we? Terexaltherin privately asks the party after Azzim's offer.
The Hartwig looks up at Azzim (Guzharthis are about a foot taller than Hartwigs, on average), "My personal name is Jajuloon. I am disgraced with my tribe and my sector-group. None has attempted aid me and I am in the deepest pools of uleenor . I hardly expected aid from Guzharthi of all entities. Perhaps I imagine could be controlled some other way better? In any case, can you show some proof you are capable of lifting this curse?
Rollo reaches into his robes, produces a Wand and smiles at Jajuloon.
Proof? Ok.
The Sage then taps him, voicing a few arcane words.
So, with a bit of magic and reassurance, the party convinces Jajuloon to accompany them back to the gate to Regrewn that tracked him from. Exiting the Reptilian Hall as low-key a fashion as possible, they emerge into the eerie landscape of the Pillars Of Time with it's luminous, multi-hued moss, it's crystaline blocks, it's pillars reaching to the sky, etc.
After an hour's walk or so, retracing your step, you approach the valley where the Tharex was keeping watch as you came. It's easy to imagine this interplanar busybody might be even more interested if they observe returning with the Hartwig.
Lyra kept to out of it, while the others worked.
When they get to the Vally and the Tharex she says.
"My vote is, Lets skip that annoying barstool and go around, last thing we want is others knowing we are here"
Rollo agrees with the Lady. He smiles at her.
So. What's new?
The dhampir winks.
I agree, we should avoid it, but let me scout ahead and make sure we don't run into someone else instead, Terexaltherin suggests.
Rollo, we'll have to catch up later! the disguised dragon 'says' as he darts off to scout.
Terex goes forward and finds... The various valleys around the area of the Tharex are rough and broken terrain riddled with large, hidden predators - bat creatures the size of rhinos, large snow snakes, white spiders the size of school buses and so-forth. Terex is able to find a path through the mess that seems doable but there are points that require either stealth, agility (acrobatics) or strength (climbing). It involves following the path of an acidic river that winds around crystalline blocks and that most creatures seem to avoid.
Jajuloon looks around nervously as the party stops...
Omdor tries to move quietly to avoid the larger predators, hand on the Arlosword hilt.
Azzim had assumed a simple cure disease spell might suffice to end the kolphane addiction, but it was always possible there was more to it than that...
[spoiler=Heal]1d20+15[/dice]
[spoiler=Kn: Arcarna?]1d20+18[/dice]
[spoiler=Kn: Planes?]1d20+21[/dice]
When Terex reported the pathway, Azzim suggested "Perhaps a wind walk spell might be helpful..."
Terexaltherin flies from cover to cover ahead of the rest of the group, staying just inside his telepathy range (170') to warn them of anything he sees ahead.
Azzim casts windwalk and the party moves through the network of valleys. However, at a point, you encounter an area of very high wind where you must to assume physical form to cross.
In the midst of this process, as the group walks through a (relatively) sheltering canyon, Arlo steps on a large crystal block that turns out to be precariously balanced and goes spinning downward, making crash at the bottom that can heard above even the wind, at which point Terex sees three enormous, white, hairy snake heads pop up about 130' above and 200' to the west of, the party in the canyon (presumably attached to snake bodies...). You estimate the wind dies down about 1500' feet ahead...
We have incoming, Terexaltherin informs the party, projecting an image of the snake heads. We could try keeping moving, but it's probably about 1500' until the winds die down, and I'm guessing this thing is fast. We'd better be ready for a fight if we can't avoid this creature or talk our way out.
"Sh|t." Omdor grumbled. The dwarf inquisitor now completely unsheaths The Arlosword and his shield, ready for battle.
Lyra goes and stands just behind her husband, she takes out a small bag of projectiles. putting one in her hand she points at the snake, out from her hand a framework of force comes into being, like an ethereal gun. force lines show targeting systems and a line of projection. It locks onto the snake.
"Give the word my love"
"Give the word my love"
Omdor , hearing a tiny remnant of the woman he loved in the android's cold voice, forced a small smile on the dwarf's bearded lips.
"Should be enough snake skin to make you a lovely new leather outfit, my dear. Allow your husband to provide", the dwarf paladin said with grim determination.
The three snakes slither down the hill, now looking about 50' in length each - the snake in the lead growls in accented common - "What brings you to this desolate waste? What toll, what item and food stuffs, have you brought to purchase your lives? Can you suggest the proper way to cook your kind if negotiations fail?..."
Rollo smiles warmly at the approaching snakes. The Sage floating casually above the ground about 20'.
Greetings Friends! We merely have the notion to cross this vast area in the hopes of not encountering any obstacles, deterrents and destruction of said plane.
The dhampir then points to each of the Snakes.
Perhaps, you and your may offer us your taxi services for our journey and we won't let our dwarf swallow any of you whole.
Rollo points to the shiny paladin.
He hasn't eaten as yet today I am lead to believe.
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Rollo points to the shiny paladin.
He hasn't eaten as yet today I am led to believe.
Omdor seethes through clenched teeth. "Oh. My. FUKING MORADIN!!!"
"Are you telling me we're gonna talk our way out of another fight!!""I haven't had any action in MONTHS!!"
"What toll, what item and food stuffs, have you brought to purchase your lives"
Azzim winked at Arlo as he chortled before shouting, "They seem to think, we need to bargain for our lives. Ha! That's a good one! Did nobody tell them that they're on the menu?!"
LYRA says nothing, but standing next to her husband, the power starts to build up around her. Whenever she fired it's going to be one hell of a blast.
"I like the idea of a new snakeskin bask, my love, and I think there may be enough snakeskin for a nice set of luggage as well.
The snakes edge back for second and stop, the lead creature says, "Hey, you had me for a second but we can call this the start of negotiations - perhaps we should give a demonstration... also, we do sometimes negotiate transport but that would increase the price... " and it swallows a 3'x3' boulder and spits out it over the heads of the party (the tactic doesn't long effective for command since the arc is too high but that thing is strong and definitely has the swallow hole ability).
As it spits out the rock, Lyra activates a device and expands, becoming a Huge monstrous humanoid. Her adamantine body shields over. 32' tall now she just chops the rock as it comes down to brake it in two.
STR +8
Force Unarmed attack +2 TH+15/+10 DMG[1d6+2+5+3][+2d6 force] x2 (L/NL) (B) [As Adamantine] [Counts as Magic]
Studded Strike (Ex) [DMG +6d6 ] [14 Rounds]
Studied Combat (Ex) [+7TH][+7DMG][14 Rounds]
TH
DMG Unarmed attack ignores hardness 20
DMG force]
DMG Studded Strike
"Any other tricks?"
Rollo just grins. The Arcanist then places a hand of Arlo's shoulder.
Have fun, my friend!
Arlo chooses the talkative serpent. As the dwarf and the dhampir appear right next to the ringleader, The paladin rests The Arlosword's edge against the snake's pristine scales.
"The thing about being swallowed whole, is it's so much easier to attack while inside the dragon, or in this case, snake."
A golden protective aura surrounded the dwarf, giving him a menacing otherworldly look.
Just then Laurana popped out from Azzim's backpack and uttered a word of power! A tremendous jolt of energy washed over the party, spurring them onwards with great speed!
Readied action in case Arlo is *actually* going for it:
Round 1! FIGHT!
Terexaltherin had done his best to remain hidden as the situation heated up, cautiously getting himself into an ambush position. Now, he silently draws a wand, getting ready to fight...
Rollo and Arlo appear suddenly in front of the snakes and swings at the leader, leaving a small cut on it's face. The leader lunges at Arlo in turn but missed. A second snake grabs the Arlo and spits him out, the dwarf hurdling down the canyon. . All three of the snakes retreat 40' with the lead snake commenting [b]"You can say negotiations have broken down for now. And you're right, dwarves would give us indigestion...[/ooc]
To Terex, these look like snow snakes infused with both fey and aberrant energy - probably vulnerable to cold, unlikely to have magic resistance. They might know a variety of riddles or be otherwise fascinated with some odd things.
Omdor lands hand on the canyon floor, in the middle of a dwarf-sized hole. "..Ow."
The dwarf definitely made an impression on the canyon floor.
Engraged lyra goes for the head that attacked her husband.
