Laurana was also intensely curious about this installation and she burst out of one of Azzim's pockets in aloud of stardust. She flew rings around the area, looking at everything while singing a beautiful song from the first world which soothed away any lingering tiredness Azzim had from his earlier vision.
Splitting up temporarily seems like a good plan, Terexaltherin agrees, making no secret of his desire to examine the room himself. We do need to track those undead down, but this place could have so much useful to learn...
Terexaltherin starts with examining the magical auras in the area, figuring that whatever caused the petrification is probably long-gone but not wanting to take the risk. He also looks for any traps remaining.
That done, he works with Azzim to examine the planar machinery to determine its purpose, and the remnants of the ancients to see if they can determine what happened.
Terex finds no traps in petrified interior of the complex. He feels only the slightest touch of magic but works to analyze it carefully.
The magic that destroy the area seems to have been simply a large scale effect coming from outside the complex - aside from the door, the complex has skylight with an ivory covering. The skylight seems designed to allow magic to enter in a control way to be analyzed but it seems a vastly powerful spell overwhelmed the defenses here.
Azzim considers Terex' information and looks at the machinery. It has similarities to other planar machinery such as that of the Organization. But a careful look at the machinery shows it was designed to control a much smaller probability field, just an area like that of the battlefield. But Azzim calculates that would require a series of six reflectors circling the battlefield area. Did such reflector survive? They might be used as a powerful weapon even without the control room. Does this relate to the Dark Traders plot or could it be used against them? A lot of questions require finding the reflectors, if they exist. Azzim can at best pin them down to 5 mile square each.
Meanwhile, Chella and Arlo track the undead for another day and a half, avoiding several other hidden holes and finally coming to another large barracks complex. This complex is huge, intact and empty of corpses. It does supply boxes about 1/4 of which have carefully stored weapons, armor and supplies. The zombies you follow seemed to go to a random room, arm themselves and waits. Finding them, the trackers can easily destroy them . The history you've picked up lets know this a quite recent complex - where all weapons would normally be removed (but things happen).
Meanwhile, Azzim and Terex return for their library shifts to maintain appearances.
As he and Azzim return to the library, Terexaltherin says, I don't think we want to search for those reflectors while the undead are at large, just in case the Dark Traders are looking for them. But we should keep an eye out for any signs that they're trying to excavate the areas they might be in.
He pauses a moment, then switches topics. Do you think we should bring our employers into a part of what we're doing? They'd have an incentive to search for proof about which factions are involved with the undead, so if we told them that we're, say, interplanar undead hunters, and we had caught suggestions of certain families being mixed up in breaking seals, they might be able to investigate in ways we can't. On the other claw, they might figure they can strike their own deal... what do you think, Azzim?
Azzim pondered this and replied sofly, "We must assume the traders are competent, yes, and that they have agents who will report on certain things. Still I'm tempted to research the metallurgy and mystical properties of orichalcum, aiming indirectly to learn more about the creation of seals. Do you think that would raise eyebrows?"
On the second topic, Azzim liked the idea but his enthusiasm rapidly cooled and he struck a cautious tone "In an ideal world yes, I like that approach. Thing is I don't feel like we know them well enough yet to take such a risk. Let's spend some time with them, perhaps in an ale house talking shop and then when they've had a few, we sound them out in various ways to get a sense of who they are. If we like what we see then yes we tell them some of what we're doing."
So, after a couple days and evenings back doing translations, Azzim and Terex are able to invite Dzitizim, Aran and Telejam (a half-orc who unusually friendly among the library staff) out to a very quiet cafe in the artisan district where they able to relax and unwind in the quiet way look-time library workers do, Dzitizim compliments the two "You've done excellent work here so far and adapted to our strange city better than I could have imagined". They go on to admit the Green Pants faction and The South Wing are gradually losing influence and will be doomed but say that the process is happening so slowly they feel only slightest worry about it. "If we had a powerful patron, things might be different but we do not publicize our talent, the charter prohibits it..."
And the night winds-on with Azzim and Terex bonding with their coworkers...
Also, in that time, Azzim is able to research the creation of the anti-animation seals much easily than their location. The process involves a series of specialist; An obscure sect of the God Of The City ("the sealing domain") as well as two sorts of artisans. No seals have been produced for 150 years but the specialties remain like many obscure specialties of this old city... The addresses of the various creators can readily obtained... The cost of the seals varies by size with the small costing roughly 25k in materials (plus the specialized labor).
Chella motions to Arlo and backs away from the room with the undead. Then she casts message on him (and Peri) so that they can discuss quietly. "Are these creatures waylaying boxes and bringing them back to this place? And then awaiting new orders? Or is their task more benign? Perhaps they have been commanded to escort items here for the people who run the project."
"I AM WARY OF ADVISING YOU TO ATTACK THEM IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THEY DO NOT MEAN US HARM," lilts Peri's ghostly voice. "GRANTED, THEY ARE EVIL CREATURES, BUT I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW THEY DO THINGS HERE."
Gift spans some time in the room making notes and studying it.
Then when the others head off she goes to find out who could make new seals. IF they needed to make them.
Terexaltherin does his best to get a feel for how trustworthy Dzitizim, Aran and Telejam are as they coverse.
As the conversation winds down, he comments, "Your city is more difficult than most to fully grasp, it's true, but we've traveled widely and done many things. Learning our way around is part of what we do."
"Though I'll admit we probably don't really understand how important influence in the library is. Just what might a desperate, down-on-their-luck faction be willing to stoop to if they thought the alternative was fading away?"
Studying the undead and the enormous complex, Chella deduces that this could be a staging ground for the "army of the dead" that The Organization heard a rumor of.
Especially, zombies are equipping themselves with excellent weaponry, weapons that likely couldn't use effectively given their slow speed - however, a sinister tactic available to the Dark Traders is to transform their thralls into Juju zombies or other much more effective fighters. Of course, they'd need some source of necromantic power to achieve this. Whatever form it takes, it might be brought in but it might also be somewhere in or near this massive complex.
Gift makes similar deductions when she returns. She also learns there are roughly 4-5 fully vested priests of The God Of The City of the domain of sealing and they are occupied with an unusual ritual performed on certain second sons of nobles... The temple is in a less prosperous part of the noble quarter... (where it seems, most of the interesting things of the quarter are).
Terexaltherin does his best to get a feel for how trustworthy Dzitizim, Aran and Telejam are as they converse. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38
The three library workers are loyal to themselves, their subfaction within the South Wing and maybe the South Wing itself. Each of them is of a different subfactions and they're thrown together to watch each other. But this has continued so long they're almost friends.
All of them feel like conspiracies are rife in the library and the South Wing's factions doen't have enough conspirator allies. They're too timid to seek them but if an opportunity fell into their laps and it was framed properly, they likely would take it...
Though I'll admit we probably don't really understand how important influence in the library is. Just what might a desperate, down-on-their-luck faction be willing to stoop to if they thought the alternative was fading away...
They'd ruefully agree with Terex, though not wanting the faction to be them...
Azzim glanced at Terex as he sipped his ale and suggested to the three librarians, "Factions rise and fall, and most of the time it's hard right to know which ones are going places right? Well... What if I was to tell you I could predict and sometimes even influence the future in certain small ways, including finding the right factions for yours to ally with. I could even make introductions... All I'd ask in return is a small favour, something I suspect you're doing already - keeping an eye out for anyone searching for certain information. Information that could be dangerous in the wrong hands. What do you say? Could we come to an agreement?"
"Of course, I'm sure Orguanion has its ways of punishing those who go too far... like, say, breaking some of the seals," Terexaltherin continues. He lowers his already quiet voice conspiratorially. "A group connected with doing something like that would probably leave a power vacuum... assuming you could prove they were doing it."
He switches to his telepathy. I'll quit beating around the bush--we've been doing some investigating, and someone is definitely working with the undead to break the seals. Separately, I've been able to overhear the Colnalia family talking about some sort of deal... but we haven't been able to put the two together yet, even though it seems obvious they do go together. So I was looking for a bit of local information that might help us get the proof we need to put a stop to this.
Aloud, he says, "But of course, I'm sure no one would actually go that far."
Silently he adds, You can reply to my telepathy. Best not to assume we're not being overheard.
Aran nods along with Azzim as he makes his pitch and then Terex interjects and the three librarians freeze - you can notice a small gesture from Aran and the three stare at each other in an intense, wordless interchange for almost two minutes, one or another looking back searchingly at the two Organization member and Telejam occasionally holding a finger to indicate for you to wait...
Finally, they seem to reach some decision and Aran starts to speak, then stops and sends telepathically ::Hmm, I think you are, as my father used to say, 'selling the spice with the stew' . You are powerful and you must be part of a powerful faction, group or organization from off this world. You wish to show you are benevolently inclined and we could be convinced of this. Protecting the seals is a obscure but important duty of every Orguanion so you seem benevolent in that wish, certainly. Still, you can clearly see a powerful patron is a thing we need and so you come at opportune time. We can offer some part of the things you speak of. Then we ask you aid us in various ways and then we can offer you more. Our motivations and requests are benevolent and for the good of the city as well, naturally. Is that a deal? And you do intend to overthrow another faction, be cautious please.
The cafe's activity continues around you and with no indication your quiet group has attracted any attention.
Terexaltherin sends a message just to Azzim while the group debates. Sorry about that, I probably was a little too direct... After their reply, he adds, Well, that's probably about the best we can hope for. See anything wrong with agreeing?
Unless Azzim suggests otherwise, Terexaltherin says to the three librarians, If you can help us track down those working with the undead threatening the seals, then we will help you in ways that don't harm the city. We can agree with that.
Aran looks at the others... and then replies: If we knew of undead threatening the city, we'd certainly tell you... but the struggles of factions here are much more obscure as far as we understand them. Everyone, so far as we know, believes they serve the library ultimately - they just serve it differently. Even the phantoms, who are not new here by the way. Still, we could report things if you need to know them... . They continue similarly cautiously... (which isn't that suspicious by itself, you know them they are very cautious and calculating in everything, as are many in this city...).
And you do intend to overthrow another faction, be cautious please.
Via the hive mind and Texrex, Azzim replied as he slipped his ale, ::It's possible factions are involved but the threat we seek to counter is external in origin and countering it is emphatically in the city's and the library's best interest. That said we shall heed your warning!::
Azzim rose to buy another round and when he returns he told them ::I believe we have a deal. I shall consider how best we can help your factions::
Terexaltherin lets Azzim continue the negotiations, since he's already gone a little too strong on them.
We mostly need insight into how someone external could be sneaking undead into the wastes and support to their allied faction, he suggests.
We mostly need insight into how someone external could be sneaking undead into the wastes and support to their allied faction, he suggests.
Aran thinks again, "Hmm, for the unliving to enter Orguanion, they would have to go past the territorial guard who have the ability to detect such things. The guard could be corrupted or perhaps their magic could be fooled by greater magic. To enter the library itself, they would have to also be contracted to a faction and pass the phantoms.
You are aware of course that we do have explanar visitors, these are the library's customers, the one source of trade for this once great empire...Anyway, you if suspect evil outworlders, look at The Nightengale, The Swann and The Golden Arrow, those are where outworlders are normally directed.
He then sits back, looks at his two compatriots and send And yes, I think we can make a deal. We must contact our friends and we can confirm tomorrow at the close of your shifts.
Well, that gives us some places to look, Terexaltherin 'says'. We'll of course continue our normal work, so you know how to contact us.
So Azzim, Terex and the various librarians cobble a rough deal to finalized later, and continue drinking as if nothing had happened. The next day, Aran communicates that they will be giving you reports about their dealings with other factions and anything that seems sketchy concerning these as well as research anything you are unable to - in exchange for this, they ask some fine, magical velum and other valuable book-binding materials. The
Gift grins.
"I'm going to have a chat with that sad-looking noble you spotted."
Chella considers. "Peri and I are interested in the library phantoms. We will try to encounter another between texts while we keep working at our task. Perhaps they can be frightened into giving up information, or befriended once we know more about what they are or what they do." She looks at Arlo. "Would you like to help me? If they become difficult, having another person along would certainly come in handy."
Gift the young telepath walked outside the great keep, her power manifested in a stunning display. Her form began to transform, as if an ethereal glow enveloped her entire being. With each step she took, her appearance changed, becoming more awe-inspiring and mesmerizing.
Her hair morphed into a cascading waterfall of shimmering silver strands, flowing down to her waist with an otherworldly luminescence. Her eyes sparkled like twin stars, reflecting the mysteries of the universe within their depths.
Her skin became porcelain smooth and flawless, radiating a gentle glow that seemed to emanate from within. She was adorned in a gown woven from threads of moonlight and stardust - it clung to her body like liquid silk, accentuating her every curve with an air of elegance and grace.
As she moved through the courtyard, flowers bloomed in her wake; vibrant hues sprouted from thin air as if responding to her very presence. The breeze whispered sweet melodies as it danced through the ornate patterns of light that seemed to follow in her footsteps.
People stopped in their tracks, their jaws dropping at the sight before them. Whispers filled the air as they marveled at this enchanting spectacle - a living embodiment of beauty and power.
Word quickly spread throughout the gardens about this extraordinary woman who could metamorphose into something so breathtakingly incredible. In no time at all, onlookers gathered just for glimpses of this celestial being that had graced their world.
Gift felt overwhelmed by this newfound attention but remained humble amidst the adoration surrounding her. She recognized that these gifts were not merely for personal gain but held immense potential for positive change and understanding among people.
She had dedicated herself to her remarkable abilities not only for herself but also for others – healing souls with comforting thoughts or bridging gaps between conflicting minds with empathetic understanding.
The powers bestowed upon this young telepath was not just physical transformation; it was a catalyst for creating harmony among people by showing them how true beauty lies not only in appearances but also in kindness and compassion - qualities she exemplified effortlessly.
And so, wherever she went – be it inside or outside great keeps – she continued to captivate hearts not only with her stunning form but also with the profound impact she made on those around her through love-filled thoughts shared silently between minds.
And she sort out the lonely noble.
Terexaltherin summarizes his findings so far (his part of the list above).
I think I'm close to opening the chest, and we do still need to keep up appearances of doing the job we were hired for, he 'says' once the party has discussed their options. I can handle getting our 'allies' their request while I'm at it, but that's probably enough for me to work on for the next couple of days. Once that's settled, I want to investigate that tower...
Azzim had several things on his agenda and replied over the hive mind, ::Its alright Terex I've already memorised a spell to contact The Organization, I can handle that while you investigate the chest and the tower. Let me know if you need any assistance!::
He used a sending to contact Ari and Livonia, explaining that "Investigation progressing, met Chella. Traders arranging destruction of wards, will attempt to reforge. Contacted local library factions, please send enchanted book-binding materials for trade." [ooc]
He then focused on contacting priests of God Of The City. This was likely going to be hard, he initially focused on research in using the library to find out what if anything was written about the god and the clergy. Perhaps they would have a documented temple or two.
The next phase was to actually search for a temple or to ask around depending on what, if anything, he found.
The week is busy for the party as you each pursue projects...
Without any preliminaries, Gift proceeds to the small, iron-built house of the Colnalia family and triggers the magical chime. After a wait of nearly twenty minutes, the door slowly open and a older, handsome and melancholy tiefling opens the elaborately wrought door. Upon seeing Gift, his sad mood seems to lift and he makes an elaborate and elegant bow, inviting her in, following ancient and complex Orguanion protocol. After nearly ten minutes of ritual praise and reciting love poetry of still more ancient societies, he smiles and says "I think that takes care of the preliminaries. I am Poinifaxsis Colnalia. What is your name and how may I serve you, my beautiful goddess?"
Livonia sends back to Azzim that she will file his report and send the required resources with a trade-mission to Orguanion. Does he need anything else?
Chella goes wandering through the library until they have an opportunity to pass one of phantom in a large, deserted and dimly lit corridor two levels below the South Wing. And it turns and says "Who are and by what right do you walk the closed stacks of the library?" The voice sounds somewhat mechanical...
Terex finally reconstructs a key to the heavy chest, sorting out the small errors he made earlier. "Opening" the object actually involving turning the inside-out with its contents appearing on top of the thing. What appears is a series of several hundred journals as well as twenty steel tablet. The journals detail a long exploration of the ancient wasteland around Orguanion . Whoever this ancient explorer was, he did not seek seals (though the text mentions the location of two of the main ones!). Instead, he or she describes gates leading from the wasteland to a number of lands along with many other surveys of the area. Such a map could be very dangerous in the hands of one commanding any army of the dead. Tablets appear to be contracts for the use of constructs from Mechanus, details their duties and rewards - could this describe the Library Phantoms.
Gift responds with praise ritual
She like unto herself responds to his words.
"When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings."
and when the preliminaries were over, and had introduced himself she replied
"I am the Lady Gift Fitzory-Brighthammer, and it has come to my attention Lord Poinifaxsis Colnalia that you are an knowledgeable elequantine fellow. And one I would converse with, being new to this realm. What say you to a walk and talk of things frivolous"
She said with a mona lisa knowing smile.
Chella goes wandering through the library until they have an opportunity to pass one of phantom in a large, deserted and dimly lit corridor two levels below the South Wing. And it turns and says "Who are and by what right do you walk the closed stacks of the library?" The voice sounds somewhat mechanical...
"That mechanical-sounding voice sounds like it might be an extraplanar creature, like us," she whispers through her message spell to her half-sister. "But I think it's from a purely lawful plane rather than good or evil."
Peri considers her knowledge of such creatures and tries to identify it. She shares what she knows with Chella.
"I am one of a group of specialists who has been hired by the librarians to translate some of the texts," Chella responds, stalling for time. "Having earlier been threatened by a being that looked similar to you, I have been hoping to meet one of your kind so that I can discover what you are and what you are doing here, in order to keep the books safe. Do you mean to harm us, or perhaps worse yet, the contents of the library?"
I've opened the chest! Terexaltherin informs the others via the hive mind.
He's then silent for a few hours while he quickly browses the contents.
...I'm going to put all this in my library, he states. It should be safe there... though I'm already thinking of ways I want to improve the security of my library demiplane. But this would be dangerous for the Dark Traders or whoever's behind the undead to get. There's a lot of journals that describe the area around Orguanion, including some of the seals. But it looks like these 'phantoms' in the library are actually constructs from the plane of Mechanus, if I'm understanding these other things in here right.
There's a lot here, though. I'll study them a bit deeper if we have the time.
The little dragon transports the journals and tablets into his library then does his best to close and lock the chest. When he has time he studies the tablets more, curious about the 'phantoms' and their purpose, as well as who summoned them.
As she asked this Gift reached out her mind to feel his. She is soft and gentle when she does.
Once Poinifaxsis Colnalia and Gift finish preliminary introductions, the debonair nobles takes the young psionic on a picturesque walk through the oldest parts of Orguanion noble district, him pointing out points of poignant historical interest.
When Gift reaches out to Poinifaxsis' mind, it is quite strong and even protected by various magic but easily give up the point that he is forced to stay in the city by blackmail from some forces that use his house's noble name and seal for their purposes, whatever they are. The blackmail is against his family so cannot refuse.
The library Phantom looks at Chella, "It is the phantoms' task to stop all those who might wander the open stacks without permission and with dubious aims, even if they might be employed elsewhere. Anyone who we hear a sinister report about must be investigated." (you sense the phantom is actually a bit confused by libraries intrigues and actually intimidates all it encounters to try to discover if they are up to mischief. And that they would be easily manipulated by those who spread rumors...).
After some time on the walk for which she has asked questions here and there. She kinds the Telfing noble to quit fetching and most of all interesting. As she sees a little into his mind and the troubles there in.
She picks a moment to stop next to some seats, and taking one she posts the place next to her. After he sat she turned and looked to him.
"As you may have guessed I am more than I appear, I am what I like to call a fake god. A being that as reached a state of evolution which could be to some considered a holy form of near divinity. Or so some of my followers tell me. Close to us, just a plane's jump away is my home. The temple of the mind. A place where those of have gifts like my own can come and learn to use them better."
She waved a hand and placed into his mind a vision of her home.
"My gifts let me see things in others, like your good self. Who is being influenced into doing things you would wish not to do. This I find troubling, so troubling that I wish to offer you my aid. And before you refuse know that my aid is more than you can imagine. I have fought gods and demons more than once."
And for a moment she lets her power show. A blue glow deep in her eyes, and arches of psionic power speck around her.
"And I am still here, so know that when I say I can do a thing, it is nearly always the case, that I can."
She leaned back,
"Shocking I know, out of the blue and you don't even know who I am, but Lord Poinifaxsis Colnalia, would you be willing to let me aid you, for a small price? So that the hold over you that others have was ended for good? Agree and I will tell you the price for my help."
When Gift makes her offer, Poinifaxsis looks down. "A remarkable offer. It is difficult for me to know where to begin. Creatures have seized my mother, my sister and her children... They have taken my signet ring. Occasionally they come to me demanding a form be signed or that I open boxes only my line can open... I do not know how to act against such beings and they may be watching even now... he stops and then adds .hastily "But no, not now I think. But also.." stops again. "I am ashamed that I should need help in these matters...
As soon as he talks telling her she send this to the group so they can listen in.
::"OK I have a leed, team, listen to this"::
Then she links to his mind.
::"Do not react my lord, I have the ability to cominica mind to mind, So others do not hear. So it's best we communicate like this. And If others are listening to our spoken words, well let's carry on talking about flowers while we talk for real Mind to mind "::
"Such a nice day my lord, let's sit and admire the flowers in silence for a while"
Then to her psicytal.
::"Nexqil, be a dear and see if anyone is earwigging us."::
::"As you command"::
His voice came back.
The tiny psycystal takes slowly moves up and scans for eavesdroppers.
::"You are not asking for help Lord. As I said I would want payment for my services. I want you to become a teacher at my school of the mind. I have a lot of low-born students and they lack... let's say graces. Any student of mine must leave with fine manners and a full understanding of how to act properly in the company of others. I lack a teacher of such. You come most highly recommended and our meeting has shown me that you are far more than cable of undertaking this task. So if you agree to pay in kind, then I shall help get your family and its honor back. That is the deal I offer"::
If he agrees she asks
::"Now that is underway, I have linked in the others who work with me. I know they will want to ask you some questions after you start with you telling us how this all started and what you know of these blackmailers"::
While all this was going on Azzim decided he was going to ask around in town to see if he could track down the clergy of the God of the City.
Of course he wasn't going to be seen asking strange questions as himself, instead he chose to look and sound like a native. In private he cast several powerful spells before slipping out to visit local shrines and temples wearing his businesses suit of anonymity.
There he made discrete inquiries about the God of The City asking older citizens "Sir, perhaps you could help me? My dear departed grandfather was a follower of the God of the city and he bade me to seek a blessing when I was old enough to appreciate the city for what it is. I think perhaps I know what he meant now, but alas I can't find any of the clergy. Would you perchance be able to help? A thousand blessings if you can!"
Poinifaxsis looks at Gift, "Ah, I should have known that there were more spiderwebs in this. But well, we are now tied together also my love... As to knowledge, I wish I had more. Myself, Marciette my mother, Coleum my sister and her young babes Ornby and Calip had just returned from the day before. That day, I returned from a dreary council meeting to find all of my relative bound by what could be only walking corpses. These creatures directed me, on pain of my relative's deaths, to stay at home and sign papers as they would command - they hustle last remain blood out of the house and repeated their commands. Apparently they have someone impersonating me in the petty office I hold but still need me for certain things. Sometimes when they come, they show me Ornby and Calip playing in cabin, Marciette knit or Coleum by a brook. " He pauses. "The difficulty is that we are the last of an entire noble house. That makes useful but also means I have none of turn to ... well, until now. But tell what you can do?" he stops. "One more thing I don't understand. This house has all the guards on it, regularly renewed, yet this creatures come and without being bothered by them..."
Azzim finds an acolyte of the God of The City after inquiring at a couple temples. "I can offer all the blessings specific to the City God. Most of our rites involve sanctifying buildings, crossroads and arches as well as sealing portals and general area against evil. However, we do have a few rites that deepen one's knowledge of a place and we perform the common rites for the enhancement of trade and craft. Which were you thinking of?" he adds off-handedly also "While we have likely blessed most major buildings here, this city is so old that our efforts mostly involve renewing rites..."
Without naming a seal directly, Azzim described his intentions to the acolyte, "I'm hoping for a renewal of sorts, well more of a blessing anew. The objects in question are so big, forged to this design from Mithril and Orichalcum."
He produced a sketch which accurately described the physical properties of a seal.
"I understand this sort of design was in vogue a century or more ago before being mostly forgotten. In theory they should last indefinitely, but just like any other civic amenity a certain amount of upkeep is necessary due to wear and tear as I'm sure you'll appreciate."
Chella is wide-eyed innocence personified as she talks to the library phantom. "Have you seen or heard of any undead zombie creatures traveling through the stacks? Possibly escorting a large cube full of weapons? I saw some the other day and I was sure they did not belong here, but I did not know the proper procedure for reporting them. If only I had known that was your job!"
Given that Terexaltherin has just gotten some new reading material, it's hardly a surprise that he's focused on studying more.
The phantom confronting Chella has gradually shifted it's attitude as the discussion has progressed... First gruff and suspicious, it now seems uncertain and inward looking. Taking out several sheets of vellum, the creature says, "The undead are not permitted in the city, much less the library stack. Please make me a detailed report on your observations and include your name and where in the library you are employed. I will see that it reaches my superior..."
As Azzim describes the seals (or a seal), the acolyte looks alternately alarmed, suspicious and confused. Once Azzim finishes, he says "This is quite beyond me. I must take the question to my master. If you would follow me..." and takes Azzim from the public area of the Pantheon through a series of hallways only used by clerics and finally to a small office deep in building. He has Azzim wait outside for several minutes while he enters and then the door opens and a somewhat older and also fairly nondescript priest beckons him in with studied neutrality. Once he is inside, says, "So, sir, you seek a renewal of certain 'large orichalcum structures'? Tell me more details. This must be a serious matter"
::"Poinifaxsis let us back to your home, I need to find your family, I have a way but it will take 24 hours. SO I shall be staying with you."::
She stood up and if he agreed went with him. If they are not interested. She will use the power MIND HUNTER to find his kind.
Azzim replied to the older priest, "For now it is a problem, but if left unattended I fear it may become serious indeed. You see certain external influences, have conspired to destroy a number of seals. I aim to replace them, which brings me to your door. Are you able to help?"
The priest make a small gesture as he looks at Azzim - "You seem in earnest, indeed my magic says you are in earnest. Yet you worry me. Perhaps your disguise is too good or you really are from outside the city. Either way, no doubt if the seals against undeath our order created years ago are threatened, I certainly would wish to help but our order is small and powerless in the scheme of things. Acting without one of the major factions would be foolhardy and I would have to at least know which faction I'm acting with..." he looks around "Note, I have sealed this chamber against any others overhearing us, even others of this order. We can talk freely ... to the limits of my own sealing ability ... which may be the greatest in Orguanion and perhaps sufficient..."
Poinifaxsis agrees to Gift's offer in principle but advises that she get a guard for process since he would not be strong enough if the dark ones were to appear... with that taken care of, Gift sleeps and sees Poinifaxsis' family, guarded by various disguised incorporeal undead in a strange basalt castle on a green but desolate Island on the Norward Sea 1000 miles in Northwest spiral away from Orguanion.
Azzim sent a brief broadcast over the hive mind ::Have contacted a priest of the god of the city. Going to take a gamble here and reveal myself. Gift do you know if Poinifaxsi's faction has been compromised?::
Azzim considered if he needed to drop his disguise to win the priest over, doing so if necessary.
Azzim replied, "Factions especially ones from the City are complicated and your caution is warranted. To explain what I know I need to explain about the dimension wars. Across all creation there are forces squaring off against each other. Some of these conflicts such as The Blood War are quite famous, others are fought from the shadows. My ahem Organization is dedicated to fight the machinations of a malign group known as The Dark Traders. Based out of Dis, this powerful group of undead wizards and more manipulate the events on hundreds of planes, seeking to destabilize and strip mine them for resources. Such harvesting is truly apocalyptic."
He then went on to give a potted history of the Trader's actions and those of the purple worms and a limited overview of successful efforts to stop them.
Afterwards he explained, "We don't know why yet but The Dark Traders are after the Library. They may well have suborned a local faction. We aim to stop them."