The gnome's cheeks turn rosy as he bashfully returns Myev's grin. "Mother always said if magic was just words, I'd've been one of the greatest wizards in Cobblepot history." He shakes his head and his smile grows a little bigger. "You grow up in a tower full of wizards with no magic of your own, it's just natural you learn how to jabber away and appease an ego or two."
As they return to the spinning hall, he's just about to push the button to take them back to the Magi when he looks at the one remaining one they haven't tried yet. An eyebrow quirks.
"We've a bit of time. Do we wish to see where it goes? Or simply head back and make sure the others will stick to their word?" He asks.
"Magic isn't everything," Myev replies, nodding along with Tek and grinning. "All my run-ins with wizardy types never end well...but I've never been good at the whole charm thing. At least not the kind most folks seem to appreciate."
When the question of exploring another section arises, Myev nods at Basho's statement. "What this one said," She agrees, pointing at the monk. "At the very least, the possibility of more treasure to drag out of this weird place."
Returning to the rotating hallway, you press another button and the hallway swings again, revealing another passageway heading south fifty feet before turning east.
Thirty feet away, you see an iron door at the end of the corridor. The door has three lightning bolts - not dissimilar to what you saw with the Brotherhood - emblazoned on the door.
As you get to within ten feet of the door, the lightning bolts on the door begin to glow with a crackling blue light.
Myev backs away from the door, unenthusiastic about the idea of getting electrocuted, and watches a tooth go flying by her head with no small amount of incredulity crossing her face. "What the..."
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As soon as the lightning bolts begin to illuminate the hall, Tek finds his instincts in complete agreement with Myev's and begins a quick back pedal away from potential electrocution.
"Uhhhh....Utsuri, I'm not so sure that's a good..." A tooth passes overhead nearly catching Myev in the eye. Not seeing any way to argue with that kind of commitment, Tek simply hurries backward and hopes Silas' god is standing by...
"I guess we should've just focused on the meeting." He says to Myev while trying not to look directly at her very metallic chain shirt.
While the majority of the party scoots further away from the door, Utsuri stands before it. The flickering blue lights intensifying while the monk remains so close.
"Utsuri..." Myev calls from around the corner. "I don't know that this is a wise idea!"
"Unless any of us can handle what seems like a magically trapped door, we may as well head to gather the rest of these people...broker their alliance and all that," Myev says, glancing back down the hallway and lightly touching her chain shirt with no small amount of trepidation. "Back to the other guys, I suppose."
And unless there is any protest, Myev will turn around and head back to the central chamber, turning it to the correct position for them to return to the closest of the other Cynidiceans.
"I'd guess that one of our new allies might know how to disable the trap." Tek says following in Myev's wake. "If it protects something of value, best we leave it be for now. We wouldn't want to give any of them a reason not to trust us. If they've forgotten or don't know what's beyond, then we'll give it a try."
"We should inform the Magi of the door and see their response. Very little in here could be considered abandon, after all. This temple city is their home, after all." Silas says, backing up with the others and eager to bring the disparate parts of the Cynidiceans back together again.
Deciding that discretion is the better option at this time, the party returns to the Magi.
"You are back so soon?" Auriga Sirkinos asks, and you enter the chamber. "Did you find the Warrior Maidens?"
Tek sweeps off his hat and bows to the Magi. "Indeed we did, my friend." The gnome says rising and slapping his hat back upon his head. "And we met with some success. For much like yourself and the leader of the Brotherhood, the leader of the Maidens saw wisdom in the forces of Cynidicea joining together to defeat Zargon. And that the signs and omens are indeed blessed for such an endeavor."
"The head of each faction shall meet, accompanied by one other of their choosing. The gathering will take place in twelve turns of the glass. A bit less now." He says estimating the amount of time they'd spent returning to the Magi hall. "This momentous meeting will take place at the entrance to this pyramid. The Gate of Cynidicea where we humble travelers arrived, and so that all can see with their own eyes proof that the sun and stars once again smile upon your realm."
"You were actual able to reason with Pandora? That's a first...well done indeed." Auriga says, almost chuckling.
"Twelve turns of the glass it is, now I must choose a second, which will be no easy task. None here have actually seen the sky and stars, many will want to experience that."
"Tek here is quite the smooth talker," Myev says, grinning down at the gnomish man. Her maul is now strapped to her back while they talk in a less hostile environment and her stance is relaxed, muscular arms crossed over her chest as she listened to the more eloquent folk speak. "We need to pass along the message to the Brotherhood as soon as possible. Do you need anything from us in the meantime?"
"Nothing that I am aware of." Auriga says. "Please go see if you can convince Kanadius of this plan."
"In guess that's our next stop then." Baheera says to Myev, content to quietly observe for the last few hours.
"Very well. We shall see you again in twelve turns." Tek says with a nod to the Magi before joining the others in returning to the haunts of the Brotherhood.
"In guess that's our next stop then." Baheera says to Myev, content to quietly observe for the last few hours.
Myev grins down at the half-elf, nudging the other woman a bit. "Sure is! You've been so quiet, I almost forgot you were here." Myev plods along behind Tek, pulling her maul out just in case there's any trouble on their way back to the Brotherhood.
"Well then, I'll have to be better at making my presence known!" Baheera says with a grin. "Can't have you forgetting me now can we?" she says with a playful wink.
Taking their leave of the Magi, the group returns up the stairwell and back to where they had met Kanadius and the other amoung the Brotherhood of Gorm.
Staring at you from behind his golden mask, Kanadius states, "All of you are still alive. That is a good thing. How have your negotiations gone with the Magi and the Warrior Maidens? I trust you have found both?"
Meebo sees a couple of the Brotherhood messing around with some of the gears and levers you had all found previously. Unable to contain herself, she goes over to join them. "Whatcha got there?" she asks with all the curiosity of a child.
"Once long ago, mechanized statues stood atop this pyramid - one for each of Gorm, Usamigaras, and Madarua. If we are truly no longer buried, perhaps it is time those statues take their rightful place atop the pyramid again." one of the Brotherhood members states, as he continues looking through the gears and such without much idea of what to do with them.
Meebo's eyes light up as she asks, "Would you like some assistance? I think that's something I could really be a help with."
The Cynideacean gestures toward the parts. "If you would and could be of assistance, we would appreciate that greatly."
With the promise of mechanical goodies, Meebo seems to forget all about the remainder of the current task at hand and goes off with the other Brotherhood members to rebuild the statues. Perhaps this would be best, she would be safer up here and perhaps rebuilding the statues would be a gesture of goodwill and cooperation between the disparate factions.
As he did with the magi, Tek bows and nods his head at Kanadius. "Indeed, the gods smile once again upon Cyndicea." He says with a broad grin. "Both have agreed to meet with you and the others to discuss an alliance between the three factions. Each faction head will be accompanied by a second. All shall meet under the sun or stars where my companions and I entered the city in twelve turns of the glass. A bit less now." Tek adds thinking of the time they've spent getting back.
Myev lets Tek do the talking, as per usual, since he's so dang good at it, and says her temporary goodbyes to her little friend. After a few minutes of chatting, of Meebo being quite distracted by the new shinies, Myev returns to the group. She's satisfied that her little friend is going to be in good hands.
Once Tek has finished laying out the plan, Myev pipes up: "Also, we found a hallway that sparks up with electricity if we try to go down it. We couldn't open up the door for fear of being shocked to death. Anything we should know about that hall? The iconography matched yours."
Kanadius chuckles a bit at mention of the warded door. "It is good to hear that my warding still stands."
"Beyond that door lies a chapel in service to Gorm." he says, walking over to the southeast corner of the room. Tapping on the floor, a stone slab slides away revealing a ladder down.
"This is the direction we have taken to get to the chapel for years, and the ward is to keep the Magi and the Warrior Maidens out."
"And, I assume, the followers of Zargon" Tek says recalling the desecrated chapel they stumbled across earlier. "We saw a bit of their handiwork in another chapel."
Seen one chapel, seen 'em all. Tek thinks as he nods his head at the opening and waves away any need to see anything more. "But that is why we left it undisturbed. In case it was a place of value or meaning to you or one of the others. Knowing it is, I for one, am happy to leave you to it."
"Me, too," Myev pipes up, nodding along with Tek. "So, what else do we need to do to get ready for this big ol' meeting of the minds?" She asks, crossing her arms over her chest. "What even is our role in it?"
Turning to Myev, Tek opens his mouth, frowns, and then clamps it shut as he ponders the half-orc's question while they move off to a more private area. Finally he offers a quick shrug. "To be honest, I'm not exactly sure of the answer to either of those questions." He says. "Not much left to do except get some rest and I suppose go back and make sure the way is still clear. I'd hate for the gods to have dealt us such as bad hand as to have another storm bury this place back under while we've been larking about down here."
"As for our role, I'd guess that would be to act as neutral arbiters to the three factions." He reaches up and scratches at his forehead causing his hat to tip backward. "Mostly talkin' sense to whatever grudges, feuds, and politics they've built up over the years and years underground."
Kanadius nods emphatically, [b["Yes, those in particular."[/b] agreeing with Tek's assessment about keeping out Zargon's followers as well.
"Tek is right. We shall act as arbiters and shine a light where darkness has held reign for so long. With all three sides illuminated and brought together, perhaps we can then lead them in the fight against this alien and evil foe?" Silas offers, settling down in a nearby seat. An soft groan of appreciation leaves the man, his body aching quietly from the constant weight of the chainmail upon him.
Myev nods along, setting her bag and weapon down to sit as well, thankful for a moment to breathe. "Ah. We'll be the frontline. That, I'm used to," She leans back in her seat, stretching out and letting her bones crack as she does so. "I'll take a backseat in those negotiations, though. The last time I tried to negotiate, I ended up punching my commanding officer in the face."
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With little else to do for the moment, Tek wanders over with Utsuri to try and get a few of the local residents talking about what's lurking in the depths of the ancient pyramid and city. The priests are a bit tight lipped and stand offish at first. It isn't until Tekumbray pulls out his tattered deck of cards that some of the Cyndicaens start to take interest. The gnome had noticed that nary a set of dice, darts, cards, or even a chess set lurked within the realm of Cyndicae. What do they do for entertainment down here? Not knowing the answer, he set about showing them what folk in taverns, halls, and homes across the realms often enjoyed.
The familiar zip and tap of cards shuffling and being dealt is heard as Tek explains the various rules of a half dozen types of poker. But the gnome quickly senses that these priests are not gambling folk. (Not too mention, those who live off of beetle steaks probably aren't flush with coin.) So instead he starts describing the rules of whist to the group of priests.
Deftly dealing out the thirteen cards to each of four players, the gnome eventually begins to guide the conversation around to the lower levels of the pyramid.
"Swords are the trump this hand." He says before tossing out an Ace of Wands to get things started. "While we were looking for the Warrior Maidens we stumbled across another chapel that seemed to be desecrated by this Zargon." He watches a two, five, and knave of wands all drop on the pile and scoops the trick in front of him. Throws out a Knave of Coin, a poor play, but he was out for information not to win. "Nearby was a ramp leading deeper into the depths. Anyone know what lies below?"
It is hard for the glib gnome to truly determine what the members of the Brotherhood think of the game of cards he was trying to teach them, but at least one of the Brotherhood seems to be picking it up quickly enough, even managing to best Tek in a hand.
"The floor below that is the burial level of the pyramid." one of the brothers responds to the question about the ramp. "King Alexander, Queen Zenobia and their court all lie at rest there. There is a trap door in the floor of the western corridor of the burial level that goes down to the original entrance to the pyramid and out to what remains of Cynidecea."
The sunless confines of the pyramid do little for growing herbs, but there are a few interesting minerals that seem to be edible here, including one that has a flavor not terribly unlike black pepper.
Unfortunately, the Brotherhood has little to offer beyond the hymnal songs dedicated to Gorm - which are throaty chants intermixed with booming gong crashes.
One of the brothers shows you to a book, but requests that no one touch it as it is a holy work and he very much doubts anyone among the party could read the text anyway.
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Myev sits back in her seat, leaning heavily against it, lost in thought. After all was said and done in this place, she had no clue what she would do next. Hiring onto a caravan served a dual purpose: she had a way to make a living and a path to start fresh somewhere else. This buried city interrupted that impulsive plan, introducing a new variable: too much choice. Once they were free of this place, they would be free to choose where they would go next rather than rely on the caravan to make the decision for them.
The orc shifts in her seat uncomfortably, slipping out of her thoughts and back into reality. The orcish woman notices a frown has formed on her face, a grim expression stretching across her lower tusks in an almost menacing, unapproachable manner. She schools her scowl back into something a little less...frightening, and glances over at Baheera. She searches her thoughts for something interesting to speak of, but she had wasted enough energy on her deep introspection that she ends up settling on a simple question.
"So, what's the deal with that lamp?" She asks, rather lamely (at least she thought so).
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Utsuri asked to be shown to a few specimens, collecting a few samples if allowed.
---The monk assured the brothers they certainly did not want to violate any sacred wards by touching the book. However, they did press the request to view the text itself, even from a distance...having a particular interest in the actual written script much more than the literal content.
The brothers are more than happy to let Utsuri take as many samples of the different minerals they used in their cooking as they would like.
---
After describing their reasons for wanting to at the very least see the writing within the tome, the Brotherhood relents and opens the book, revealing a writing style that to an untrained eye looks rather like a series of random lines, dots, and hashmarks.
Time passed uneventfully as you waited for the appointed hour of the meeting between the disparate factions within the pyramid. Shortly before the meeting time, you all head back out into the surface world to find the bright, and increasingly warm, morning sun.
Kanadius and his second, a man referred to as Eboza, are the first to arrive. A few moments pass and it appears that Kanadius is growing impatient waiting, and begins to utter, "Where are th.." when Pandora and another warrior, Zomaya, arrive.
"The forbid that not everything happens on your schedule, Kanadius." Pandora chides, having heard the beginning of the complaint. "Still...where are the blasted Magi?" she comments belying her own impatience.
Finally, some twenty minutes late, Auriga Sirkonos of the Magi of Usamigaras arrives with his second, a woman called, Kinara Andrija.
"About damned time, Sirkonos." Kanadius scolds. "Probably making arrangements with the Zargonites to betray us." Pandora adds.
After a few emotionally cold, silent minutes, the leaders of the factions turn to all of you.
"Alright, we are all here." says Auriga, "What is your plan?"
Myev stands behind the group, arms crossed, and a look of irritation flashes over her face at the bickering between the three factions. They had spent all this time trying to bring them together, to help them fight their battles for them, trapped in this accursed place, and they were going to bicker like children?
The soldier responded to the bickering with a low growl, glancing at their silver-tongued gnome friend. It would be best for him to take the lead on this; Myev was already at the point where she'd prefer to resolve this with snark and fists.
The orc shifts in her seat uncomfortably, slipping out of her thoughts and back into reality. The orcish woman notices a frown has formed on her face, a grim expression stretching across her lower tusks in an almost menacing, unapproachable manner. She schools her scowl back into something a little less...frightening, and glances over at Baheera. She searches her thoughts for something interesting to speak of, but she had wasted enough energy on her deep introspection that she ends up settling on a simple question.
"So, what's the deal with that lamp?" She asks, rather lamely (at least she thought so).
"So as the source of my magic, عاصفة الصيف grants me some of the abilities commonly associated with Djinn. The lamp acts as a link to her, and the powers of that plane, as well as a sort of safe zone, somewhere where I can retreat to, unaffected by anything going on around me. I wish I could take you inside to see what it’s like…I think you would like it.” Baheera says with a smile, hoping to distract Myev from the bickering that clearly irritated her.
Baheera's distraction did help--the half-orc glances down at the warlock and a small smile forms on her face, breaking through the irritated expression. "Sounds nice," She replies quietly. "It's been a while since I've been able to relax."
While she speaks to Baheera, the fighter's eyes are still trained on the trio of factions, watching them for any movement on their part that may be less than ideal for them. Finally, she lets out an annoyed snort, uncrossing her arms and resting her hands on her hips.
"Well, you all want to get rid of this Zargon, yes? And it seems we're stuck here until something can be done. So, we need to work together on this issue." She stares at them all as if this is the obvious answer.
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Sisters of Fortune give me strength. Tekumbray prays silently and he watches the leaders of the three factions immediately slip into petty squabbling and insults. For a few moments the gnome maintains a stony silence. Simply watching the leaders of the buried city. His thoughts are broken by Myev.
"Indeed. My fine companion is quite correct." The gnome finally says. "We are standing here..." He looks up into the bright morning sky, spreading his arms wide and letting the sun's warmth flow through his bones. "Here, blessed by the gods to stand beneath the glorious sun and vast blue sky once again. Such a thing no Cyndicean has done for vast years. Such a blessing, such a sign has not been bestowed upon this city since its fall."
Dropping his arms he peers at each of the three faction leaders. Pandora, Auriga, and Kanadius. "You can choose to let this moment...this opportunity...this gift of the gods, pass with petty bickering and squabbling, or you can accept the bounty and free your home from Zargon at last."
A pause. A breeze whistles through the ruin. Sand stirs along his boots. "You ask for a plan." He shakes his head. "But what good is a plan if you fight among yourselves. Without trust, honor, and a true desire to succeed, even if that success will benefit one of the others more than yourself, then we've no chance. Zargon will prevail. So the first thing that must happen is for each of you to swear upon the honor of each of your gods that you will stand by, aide, and fight for all your fellow Cyndiceans and fulfill any commitments made from now on in service to ridding the city of Zargon and his evil."
"Do this, and hope may flourish. Do not, and all is lost. For none of you alone can prevail against the enemy. Surely that has been made abundantly clear."
He gestures toward his companions. "Our arrival is surely a sign and blessing for your city in need. We come able and willing to help. Willing to fight for a cause not our own but one that is right and true. But we cannot do so alone. We need your knowledge, your faith, and your strong swords at our sides. We need the united power of your people." His eyes take in each of the faction leaders. "Together, we will bring Zargon to his knees."
The three leaders of the factions listen carefully to the glib gnome, finding themselves nodding in agreement, despite the differences and long held grudges they held among themselves.
Kanadius is the first to speak. "Our small friend speaks the truth. Too long have we been at each other's throats and not focused on the real enemy. If the Warrior Maidens and the Magi will do likewise, the Brotherhood swears a pact to direct our ire where it truly belongs." Turning to Pandora and Auriga, he asks, "What say the two of you?"
"If we are to finally take the fight to Zargon and his minions, this suits the Warrior Maidens just fine. We agree." Pandora says.
"It would seem we have little choice but to agree in this matter."[b] Auriga says. [b]"Two of the three have already agreed, leaving us on the outside, should we not choose to go along. So once again, after so many years it would seem that the Three are as one again."
"Thank you for this." Kanadius says, a softness in his gaze seen even through his golden mask. "We all need to prepare our factions for the coming fight, can we ask you to continue to scout out the lower levels of the pyramid and the city beyond? There are few among us that know the details of layers below us, including the sub-pyramid, and the remnants of the city itself."
Myev reaches down and claps the gnome on the shoulder softly, trying to be more aware of her strength compared to his size. "You are a wordsmith, friend," she praises quietly, a pleased grin stretching across her tusks.
The soldier straightens back up, patting at her maul in response to Kanadius's request. "We're better together. This is the right choice. As for the exploration, well..." She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, resting her hands on her hips, still grinning. "Just throw me at 'em to clear the way."
Bold words, she thought, for someone who had been missing her hits more often than not. Maybe if I speak it into existence, I'll trick it into coming true...?
It was worth a shot.