"Oh my Lady, tell me that fearsome sight is just a figment of my overactive imagination!" Lotti titters, glancing fearfully back at the apparition over her shoulder.
Whatever Lotti might have been trying to communicate is unclear.
Though it's reacting to us, which usually takes some extra attention from the creator. Or maybe with a deft-enough touch, you could make it somewhat independent. It's a bit more well-executed than that painting in the Arnisant museum, I'll give it that... The elderly servant looks around the room with wide eyes for any signs of a hidden spellcaster.
If anyone is controlling the illusion, Lotti does not manage to spot them.
Noticing some confusion from Lotti despite the failed message, Rose decides to try and buy time for the others to hopefully find this... seemingly fake Aroden. If anything, he wasn't a particularly good liar.
Standing up, she clasps her hands and continues smiling at the image. "Oh, forgive me Lord Aroden but I must simply ask! What is it like being an Azlanti, and the last of them, too? Or a god, for that matter? Are you really like humans, but better? And... in what way? There are so many fascinating legends about your folk and I never thought I'd ever still get to meet one in person! And you say you're hiding here while Iomedae took over your divine domains for you? Or... do you imply she simply stole them!? What brutality! Why was this never documented by anyone! Why if...-"
As she keeps going, it's clear to the group that Rose is acting a bit out of character and seems to be deliberate trying to drag on the conversation and retain the image's attention.
Taking the cue, Marius moves away from Rose and Aroden, sheathing his falcata in an attempt to not look too suspicious as he wanders the room, seeking anything that might illuminate this mystery.
The image of the fake Aroden scowls and gestures angrily.
"You ask too many questions! Pay the tribute, or earn my wrath!"
Marius can sense the presence of magic in the area, but its source remains hidden.
"O-oh, um, all right... then what kind of tribute would you prefer, my Lord"? Rose asks, uncomfortable about the vehememce of this demand.
"Box. Magical trap?" she mutters quietly to Lotti and Mirann next to her.
Aside from the familiar magical auras of the items carried by his companions, Marius feels the presence of moderately strong conjuration magic.
The voice responds, a little mollified. "Gold, gems, treasure, anything precious. Show your devotion and faith! ...my child."
"Okay, okay! Calm down... my lord. Let's see... what is the most valuable thing in here..."
Rose opens her handbag and starts looking at the items one by one, muttering how much she thinks they're worth and asking Lotti for advice on which one House Talbot could presumably miss best, but at the same time would make the best tribute.
Meanwhile, she repeats the question on the box; did either Mirann or Lotti detect something off about this offering box and why the ghost was so adamant to receive a tribute?
The box is a simple open stone container, and does not seem to be either trapped or magical.
Rose can hear the barely contained greed in the unseen voice.
Well done Rose, just a moment longer... Marius continues his (he hopes) surreptitious scan of the room, focusing on the unknown conjuration aura.
“My lady, you can’t give your family heirloom away!” Lotti protests fearfully, winking so only Rose can see. “Why, that bracelet is priceless! Surely the good lord Aroden wouldn’t want you to bring your dear mother to tears! Please, offer something else!”
Konstiantina rises slowly from her prayers, hand straying to the hilt of her blade once more.
Unsure as to whether it will work, she focuses her senses on the apparition and tries to determine if it is foul or fair.
Konstiantina is unable to get a reading on the image, or any other nefarious auras in the area.
"Priceless? What is worth more, transient riches or a god's favour? I'm certain that your mother would like you to show your devotion, mm-hmm."
And with that last diversion, Marius is able to locate the source of the magical aura he's been sensing - somewhere up in the rafters. But whatever creature or item is the origin of it, he cannot see, as the light from the hanging braziers outside does not quite dispel the shadows above their heads.
"The favor of Aroden, once thought lost! What could be grander for we mortals. O Lord of Humanity, tell us how we can help--I for one would see you restored to your rightful place in the heavens!" Marius thrusts his arms upwards towards the rafters, gesturing generally in the direction of the aura and giving his companions what he hopes is a subtle but significant glance. Friends, companions, let us give Him what He so richly deserves!"
"Yes, yes, give him riches, exactly!" The voice agrees eagerly, then pauses. "Wait. You are mocking me! You do not believe me! Raaaaaarrrrh! You shall feel my wrath!"
A golden, glittering cloud is conjured into existence around most of the party, blinding Rose.
"What in the name of-" Rose starts. "Gah! I can't see! Is he attacking us!? Blast it, this stuff really stings my eyes!"
She draws her rapier and attempts to rub the yellow stuff from her sight with her free end as she keeps her rapier close and ready to strike in case something approached...
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Lotti shakes her skirt and glances up at the ceiling. Too far to see in this gloom... But perhaps it can be scared out of hiding? Trying to hide her own wicked grin, she focuses for a moment and makes a few small waves with her hand.
Moments later, a booming voice fills the room - or rather, a multitude of voices that do not quite manage to speak together. Female, child, man, grandparent - each discernable yet part of the frightening whole. The loudest voice, however, is that of the illusionary Aroden himself.
"Who darest use Mine name in vain? And in Mine own temple!?"
Konstiantina takes three rapid steps forward, her eyes opening wide in alarm at the sight of the golden motes, her senses extending toward the rafter where Marius indicated so dramatically.
But then the voice booms out, and for a moment her face goes pale.
Stricken, unsure, she turns to glance at her companions, heart pounding wildly within her chest, throat closing in fear and shock.
The unseen voice rings out again as the echoes of Lotti's spell fade. "You cannot trick me! I know all! But I am merciful, and I may forgive this insolence in exchange for a very generous tithe. Be quick, before my patience runs out and I smite you all with my righteous fury!"
Rose eventually succeeds in wiping the dust from her eyes and looks around with eyes wet from irritation, and anger quivers in her voice."ENOUGH! No more games. You're not Aroden - how DARE you impersonate a god and attempt to extort the only other survivors in this horrible situation! No, not only that , but you've attacked us as well!"
She shakes her head and raises her rapier in the general direction indicated by Marius. "You have exactly ten seconds to reveal yourself - no more and no less! If you don't, we will continue to operate under the presumption that you are an assassin working for Pythareus, and I will personally ensure we execute you on the spot the moment we reach you up there!"
"Ten. Nine. Eight..."
She already looks around for the stairway leading upward and starts heading in that direction. "Those of you outside, we have a hostile agent hiding in here. Seal off the exits!"
There is a moment of silence after Rose's admonition and threats, then the voice speaks again, decidedly less bold.
"Whoa, whoa, execution? That's a bit harsh, don't you think? I don't know any Pythareus though."
As Rose continues to count down, the illusory image disappears and a small figure swings down from the rafters to land on Aroden's statue.
"Alright, alright, let's not be hasty! A joke, yes? You are very clever folk, to see through my magic. Well done, heh, heh."
Marius' eyes narrow at the diminutive figure, clearly unamused. "And who exactly are you?"
"Ah, well, my name is Viecar," responds the creature, bowing slightly. "I have been appointed the high priest, so naturally I sought to fulfill my role, heh, heh."
Viecar has something fey-like about him, but none present can precisely identify what he is.
"Now, we can all be friends, yes? No need for executions or other gruesome methods of death, hmm hmm." Viecar smiles obsequiously at the group.
Lotti gives Rose a discreet thumbs-up as the noblewoman draws the illusionist down from the rafters. Marvelous work there, she thinks to herself in an effort to ignore the feeling of grumpiness that the younger woman's persuasion had so easily succeeded where her own efforts had fallen flat. Some folks just react better to shouting I guess - and we don't really have time right now for a long con. Maybe you can enhance her work next time?
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Rose holds up her hand in a stop motion and halts counting, frowning at the strange visage of the creature. Then she slowly nods. It seemed this thing, whatever it was, responded well to fear. "I will keep to my word. You revealed yourself, and as a gesture of good will, we will call a tentative truce - one which will last while you remain truthful and do not attack a second time. I just witnessed a despot attacking Taldor's unarmed nobility at a National holiday. Many cut down around me, some of which were long-time friends and acquaintances. I played Knights and Princesses and makebelief teaparties with some when I was only a little girl! To say I'm on edge now is a gross understatement, and I probably shouldn't discard the possibility that the killers might have disguised themselves again, perhaps using illusion magic to pose as exotic beings, waiting for the right time to strike."
She sheathes her rapier and dusts off the remaining glitter from her clothes. "But... I will grant you the benefit of doubt - for now. So explain. You say you're the high priest of Aroden? Who appointed you to this position? And you claim you do not know Pythareus...?" Rose thinks a moment. "Then tell me, Sir Viecar, what date it is today, and when was the last time someone else came here?"
Outside the chapel, the senators murmur in alarm at Rose's voiced suspicion, gathering closer together. Amadorian Dou steps forward to whisper to Marius and Konstiantina. "Unless I'm mistaken, this creature is a monaciello gremlin, one quite powerful I believe. They are pranksters who love to pull tricks on the devout, and quite greedy creatures, but hardly assassins."
Viecar puffs out his chest at Rose's interrogation. "Yes, the High Priest, that's me!" He flings out an arm to rest on the statue of Aroden in a dramatic pose. "Why, the king himself appointed me, Dagio the Great! Have you met him yet? Very smart, hmm hmm." The gremlin scratches one of his chins thoughtfully. "Date... I will never understand why mortals are so obsessed with the passage of time. The date is today, of course." He shrugs. "Last time, last time... again with the time! How should I know? Not many come here, not many indeed, poor Aroden, all forgotten, alas!" viecar throws another dramatic pose, one hand at his forehead, then growls. "I'm starting to get bored of this place. Tell me, are there still great temples in the city above? Many priests?"
"I... don't recognize this 'King Dario the Great', and I consider myself fairly well-versed in Taldan nobility. Was he someone who actually existed?" Rose questions, crossing her arms. "That aside, if you're unsure about the time, can you say *who* came here last and what he or she looked like?"
When the figure starts talking about the world above, her eyes widen a bit. If he was aware of the surface, did he perhaps know of potential exits? "Well... there are plenty of temples and priests, though worship of Aroden has shifted to Iomedae mostly. If you're bored and want to... um, visit them? instead of being here, I don't suppose you know of a way out of this place?"
"I don't fancy his chances if he pulls such a stunt in one of The Inheritor's temples," Marius mutters. "Paladins and pranks don't mix well."
"Was? No no no, Dagio the Great is. The king of this underworld, the Immortal Thinker, oh, it will be such fun when you meet him!"
Viecar titters for a moment, then becomes very intrigued at Rose's next words. "Plenty of temples, hmm, hmm. Well, in that case, I shall take my leave of this place, although I doubt his Majesty will be happy with me leaving his service... Ah well! I shall wait for you to go first, provide a distraction, eh?" He reaches into the pouch at his side, pulling out a few objects which he offers Rose.
"Here, a little something to sweeten the deal, hmm hmm? You shall need the key to enter Dagio the Great's inner sanctum. And from there, the way out!"
Rose considers the offer and eventually nods. "All right. We'll see what we can do. For now, we'd like to take a look around the temple, to see if there is anything that could help us prepare in case we need to fight this king of yours."
"Sure, sure, although I can already tell you there's nothing interesting left... unless you count myself, heh heh."
After a thorough search, the gremlin is proven right - nothing of value or of use remains in the temple, all of it having been stripped a long time ago, if it was ever there to begin with.
Konstiantina is regarding the gremlin with something akin to pity and fascination.
"This King Dagio. Is he like you? A monaciello gremlin? And have you explored the rest of this underworld? Have you seen these... circular markings that have been carved into various objects and surfaces? Do you know what they mean?"
"Like me? Oh, ha ha, goodness no. King Dagio is more of the... rodent persuasion. Quite unique. And it is he who drew the circles, a bit of an obsession of his," responds Viecar.
"I see. Then do you know if these circles do anything? As in, do they have some magical power, perhaps? We've seen a lot of... 'interesting' and potentially very dangerous use of it down here already," Rose continues. "Actually, on the subject of this king, is there something we should know when encountering him? I assume he can speak like you and I, despite being a... 'rodent'?"
Viecar waggles his eyebrows at Rose. "The circles? Some do, some don't, who knows! And yes, King Dagio can speak like you and I."
"A rat king, then. This day just doesn't seem to end. Does His Majesty Dagio know of a way back to the city above?"
"He might, he might, King Dagio is very smart, very knowledgeable." Viecar winks at Marius. "Will he share his knowledge though, that is the question, hmm hmm?"
"And where is this King Dagio located? Can you take us to him?" Konstiantina's amusement is nil; she's working hard on restraining her outrage at this gremlin's impersonation of a fallen deity, and it manifests itself in the flat delivery of her words and strong, steady glare.
Lotti keeps a firm hold on Wobblekins. From how intently she brushes the glitter out of his fur, one might think that was her only goal at the moment. Only someone paying close attention would notice how she keeps shifting to put herself between the gremlin and the cat trying furiously to hunt it.
Viecar sighs over-dramatically. "I could, but I don't think I will. We, um, don't get along that well." He gestures towards the entrance to the chapel, and presumably beyond. "He's usually in the big round room, past the door with all the circles."
Hearing some coldness creep into Konstiantina's voice and seeing an amusing but perhaps wasteful double team on the gremlin with Wobblekins in the near future, Rose grins wistfully, wishing she could let it go but knowing it was the wrong move. "I think that's all he's going to give us. Let's go back to that door we skipped and continue looking for a way out. There's still a war going on up there and we already searched this place."
Nodding in agreement with Rose, Marius begins moving towards the door Viecar indicated. "Good luck to you then, Viecar, but a word of advice: don't attempt such tricks at the temples above. Oppara is a large and wealthy city and her temples fit to match--the priests and paladins who guard them will catch you."
Viecar sniggers in response, looking like he's already plotting his next trick.
Retracing their steps out of the verdant cavern and into the long hallway, the group finds themselves once more in front of the large metal door leading north, its surface covered in chalk circles and mathematical notations.
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Konstiantina props her blade upon her shoulder and studies the door from where she stands, gaze drifting over the interlocking circles.
"These inscriptions concern me. Dagio has wandered the entire complex, carving them where he will, but I can't shake the sense that they're more than mere graffiti. Anybody have a sense of what he could be? A warlock, or astronomer, or just an obsessive madman?" She pauses. "Madrat," she corrects herself.
Then she sighs and looks around at her companions. "My apologies in advance. I won't fake respect or treat him like royalty to appease his sense of importance. If he can't justify calling himself a monarch, then he'll have to accept my attitude toward him as a dose of reality."
"I don't know. At this point, nothing about this place would really surprise me anymore. A Rat king being in charge sounds like something from a fairy tale, but no more than a forgotten underground temple complete with garders, right beneath the senate building," Rose replies to the first part of the paladin's inquiery, making a 'what the heck' questioning motion with her arms and hands.
"I'll try and talk to the king, but there's a good chance it will come to violence anyway. Someone arrogant enough to call proclaim themselves king is probably not prone to taking a liking to 'tresspassers'."
The noblewoman steps forward, taking out the keys, and watches the door. "Is this locked?" she wonders.
"I... something is wrong with this thing. I can't... No, I don't want to strike-"
Halfway mumbling through the sudden assault on her mind, she opens the door and quickly jumps back.
The door opens to a hallway leading north for roughly forty feet before abruptly ending in a wall of dirt and broken stone. Another door leads west, currently standing open.
Having been peering over his shoulder to check on their passel of noble charges, Marius misses the beginning of the door's strange assault and whirls around in alarm when Rose starts acting strangely.
"What happened?! Are you well--was it a trap?" He steps up to peer through the door, eyes narrowed in suspicion.