Qlippoths beneath bugger my lovelife, I danced to a devils tune?
Aurie curses in Auran, but does not attack yet.
The devil looks over the others at Cimrodel, "You are a bizarre man and I prefer Zebub instead of your mortal description. Regardless, who are you and why are you here? Speak up before I have my guards over to remove you for good."
“I am Cimrôdel,” he responds calmly, his voice even and unhurried, “a scholar of the arcane, and a Pathfinder. I am here to study, and to explore the mysteries within these ruins. Any other questions can be answered after the matter at hand is resolved.”
"What is the matter at hand?" the devil says landing on the desk. "You're exploring, I can appreciate that. What about the rest of you? What about the rest of you? Exploring just for fun or compensation? If the latter, I have an offer for you."
"For knowledge, for the light that will push aside the darkness of ignorance."
”Yes, yes, yes, but you Mr Cimrodel are abnormal. I’m speaking to the others. I have a problem that needs fixing and I think you may be just the people to take care of it for me. Oh, and I pay well.”
We can always listen to offers Aurie says politely,
Ascent to any such of course has to be... negotiated. she continues, just as formal.
Disappointed that the entire fountain would have to be removed to gain its benefits, Molasbar joins the others.
Knowledge (local)
Knowledge (planes)
"Yes, tell us your concerns, and maybe we can end them for you."
"Ahh, reasonable people. I like that. My kingdom has been invaded by an interloper. An imp calling himself the Suzerain. He's off in that direction." He waves generally to the north-west. "I want his little head on a pike. Or at least to have him gone. He's causing more trouble than he is worth. And for your assistance, I will give you this marvelous, ancient, instrument. You know you want it, just say yes."
“Before I agree to anything, I must ask for the full provenance of this instrument,” Cimrôdel begins, his tone steady and curious. “Its age, origin, and the culture it was crafted in, the name of its creator, and any known magical properties it might possess. These are details essential for my studies. Only with such knowledge can I properly assess its desirability.”
Shathee whispers under his breath to Aurie and Doc, "Do you think he is sending us after the same Lord Baz that the other filthy devil was sending us after? If he is causing problems for multiple devils in this area, we could be in over our heads."
And may I inquire by what name and title you wish to be addressed in this context? Aurie asks politely after hearing Shathees whisper
"My goodness elf, you are difficult. This is a fine, ancient instrument for making music. I don't play myself but it's obviously magical in some way since it's still here after all this time. Step forward and evaluate it for yourself." Then the half-baby, half-fly thing turns toward Aurie and its multifaceted eyes in the baby face gives her the shivers, "As to your question young lady, you may call me Lord Baz."
Cimrôdel will do exactly as the is requested...
+2 to ID magic item properties
Cimrodel can see it has a weak necromancy aura, after concentrating on the item he is quite certain it has a permanent preserve spell on it.
Doc looks around at the others. "Well, we've heard the name Lord Baz before now," he confirms, remembering the crying lemure who asked them to hunt him down. He mentally prepares himself for battle, if indeed they are going to do as the devil requested.
This is a masterwork zither of exquisite construction. It is easily valued above 300gp.
"Well, this is certainly a fine piece," Cimrôdel observes, eyeing the instrument carefully as he steps forward. "A masterwork zither, to be precise, and a rare one at that. Its construction is exquisite, and if I am not mistaken, it could very well be the work of the legendary luthier, Baldrin Sunhand, who was known for his unparalleled craftsmanship in the art of stringed instruments some two centuries ago. His zithers were prized not just for their tonal quality, but for the artistry of their design. This piece may well have been one of his finest."
Cimrôdel inspects the zither more closely, then adds with a hint of scholarly excitement, "Considering the craftsmanship, I would estimate its value easily above 300 gold pieces, though the exact provenance could increase that significantly. I must admit, it would be a fascinating addition to Society's collection. However, we must first focus on the task at hand."
Cimrodel's appraisal of the instrument apparently distracts from Doc's mention of Lord Baz or perhaps Lord Baz decides to ignore the comment. Regardless, he responds to Cimrodel, "Yes, and it could be yours. Rid me of the Suzerain. So go and do this. There is nothing of his I require. Let me know when the job is finished and I will send one of my underlings to check the truth of the matter."
Cimrôdel nods to his companions, "gathering trinkets, and not-so-trinkets, of this sort is exactly what we do, right?"
Shathee plays in his head the chain of events he sees moving forward, going from one devil to the next each one promising a reward for taking out another. He silently whispers a prayer to Sarenrae that the webs they are being spun into don't entangle them too tightly.
"The Suzerain? Anything you can tell us about weaknesses we may exploit as we deal with him for you? Seems like this may be a worthwhile endeavor for us given Cimrôdel's appraisal of the lute."
"Hmm, he's an imp, does that help?
Imp: hide not as tough as leather, can fly, immune to fire
Imp: immune to poison, resistant to acid or cold, light DR bypassed by good or silver
Imp: poison sting, regeneration, can turn invisible, can change shape into animals
"Ah, yes, well, this creature is an imp," Cimrôdel begins, adjusting his stance slightly and speaking in his typical academic tone. "Imps are minor devils, generally no larger than a small humanoid. While their hides are not particularly resilient, they are still tougher than one might expect for their size. They possess the ability to fly, making them quite elusive in the air. Additionally, they are completely immune to fire, which is a characteristic common to most devils."
"Beyond this, imps possess several notable traits," Cimrôdel continues, his fingers tapping a thoughtful rhythm against his chin. "They are immune to poison, which can make them quite troublesome in prolonged combat, and they have some resistance to both acid and cold. Their natural damage reduction, however, is relatively light—easily bypassed by weapons of good alignment or those imbued with silver."
"If we delve deeper into their capabilities," Cimrôdel adds, his tone growing more focused, "Imps also have the ability to turn invisible at will, and their shape-shifting abilities allow them to assume the form of various animals. This, in combination with their poison sting and regenerative capabilities, makes them formidable opponents, even if they are not particularly durable in direct combat."
"Thus, dealing with them will require careful consideration of their evasive abilities and poison, as well as preparation for their potential shapeshifting and invisibility."
"Wow, the elf can be useful. I'll have to make note of that in case he eats you and I have to deal with him directly. So, if you follow this route..." Lord Baz goes on to describe a route to the Suzerain which takes you back through the entrance from which you entered this level where the statue is and taking the western door.
Lets us seek out that Imp then Aurie offers
After you make your way back to the first room you go through the east door. The hall is straight and runs about sixty feet before opening into a room. A thirty-foot-diameter, softly glowing circle of runes shimmers on the floor. What appears to be a single flickering flame burns with no apparent source of fuel in the middle of the room. Inside the circle are two flaming beings in the general shape of a humanoid.
Shathee freezes when he sees the two fiery creatures within the circle, but he it doesn't seem the creatures move to attack them immediately. "Hold for a moment," Shathee offers as he examines the runes from a safe distance, wondering if this could possibly be a trap. "Cimrôdel, could this be a trap or are these runes holding them back possibly?"
"Ah, yes, these creatures within the circle are fire elementals," Cimrôdel begins, his voice calm and steady as he steps forward to examine the glowing runes. "From the arcane patterns on the floor, it appears that they are contained within a magic circle, one that has been turned inward to prevent them from crossing the boundary. This is a containment circle designed specifically for summoned creatures, which is why they do not appear to be attacking at the moment."
"As for the fire elementals themselves," he continues, adjusting his tunic and rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "they are immune to many effects that would normally disable or harm other creatures—poison, paralysis, sleep, critical hits, and even fire itself, of course. Their affinity with flame makes them resistant to practically all forms of heat, and they cannot be affected by fire-based attacks, which could make them quite troublesome in combat if released."
"In addition, these fire elementals possess remarkable speed and the ability to see in the dark. However, their most immediate danger lies in their very touch—they can ignite clothes and equipment on fire, a trait which makes them particularly hazardous in confined spaces."
"Thus, if we are to engage with them, we will need to remain mindful of their fiery nature and the circle that contains them. It would be best not to trigger their release unless we are fully prepared for their presence."
As Cimrodel speaks the elementals move toward your side of the room but stay out of reach of the long spear. The circle goes nearly to the wall and you think it would be highly improbable anyone could make it around the room without crossing the circle.
I do speak Auran, let me try
Salutați aducători de flăcări, prin al cui ordin sunteți prinși aici?
She speaks in a strange tounge, which does however not sound unpleseant at all.
Hail bringers of the flame, by whose writ are thee trapped here?
One looks to the other which waves a hand in front of its face while looking at Aurie. It then gestures at the edge of the circle waves its hand in front of its face again and then says something unintelligible.
Shathee is surprised to understand Aurie address to the creatures, but is quickly disappointed when the fiery elemental speaks in return. "I think it is asking for us to release it. However, I don't know how we could negotiate making sure it doesn't attack us if we let it out."
You think the elemental was saying do not cross the rune circle.
Doc scratches his head. "I think it's tryin' to tell us not to cross the runes circle." He snorts. "Like we needed it to guess that!"
"I'm not getting that at all," Shathee says with a shake of his head and furrowed brow beneath his head wrap.
Turning to the fire elemental he exaggerates his motions greatly as he points past them down the continuing hallway then shrugs his shoulders with his arms out, palms facing up. "How," he articulates slowly and loudly in Auran as he heard Aurie address them previously, "do we get over there?"
"Nor am I. It might be enticing us to do the exact opposite, in fact!"
Regardless of their warning and what it may or may not mean, if we are going to continue this quest, we need to go past them. Or, at least, through them."
Earlier Cimrodel reminded Molasbar that an imp can be invisible. Knowing that, he casts see invisible on himself, in case the imp is in the room and preparing some sort of mischief.
No imp is visible, just the two elementals. They seem wary of you but not aggressive.
They will almost certainly attack us if we cross the boundary but...
Oh savored sting, permit me to free these elementals from their servitude, or, failing this, have us clash without vengeance, for I bear them no ill will
Aurie steps up to the circles barrier and begins to destroy it
Aurie tries to rub the circle out with her foot but the runes stay in place. Notably, they elementals drift her direction, the flames of their body leaping about. When this does not work, Aurie uses the tip of her sword and draws it across the runes. When it does not scratch through the first part of the rune on the inside she adds pressure until the tip is digging into stone and drawing a white line onto the stone. When it touches the outside of the runes it cuts crisply through one of the runes. The reddish light winks out leaving just Cimrodel's light spell and the dancing flames of the elementals' bodies. Freed, the elementals attack. Everyone is ready and notice the hostile intent in time to react.
Round 1
Arodus 14, 4712
2210, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Shathee 24/24<<<
Aurie 26/26;<<<
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Cimrodel 23/23<<<
Molasbar 29/29;<<<
Saria 31/31<<<
Elementals Uninjured / uninjured
To battle then, en garde
Aurie enters her rage and attacks the elemental in front of her
with her Falcata likely finding purchase
4 rage rounds remaining
"Ah, yes," Cimrôdel begins with a touch of dry humor, "the classic 'let them go and they will leave us alone' experiment. I had hoped for a more... successful outcome." He eyes the fire elementals, still contained by the circle, but now clearly agitated by their continued presence.
"It seems we have reached the point where patience no longer serves us. Perhaps it is time for a more direct approach.
Without further hesitation, Cimrôdel raises his hand, murmuring under his breath, and a ray of freezing cold energy shoots from his fingers, aimed at the nearest fire elemental.
"Fro'lanas!" he commands, sending a blast of cold toward the creature, hoping to halt its fiery rampage before it can cause too much damage
vs Touch
Aurie tears into the fire elemental sending motes of flame flying as her sword tears through its body. With extra effort it just manages to dodge her follow up swing from her kukri. Cimrodel's ray hits the one facing Shathee.
Round 1
Arodus 14, 4712
2210, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Shathee 24/24<<<
Aurie 26/26;
Doc adams 36/36<<<
Cimrodel 23/23
Molasbar 29/29;<<<
Saria 31/31<<<
Elementals -12 seriously injured / -3 lightly injured
Shathee feints with his shortsword, then seeing an opportunity reverse spins and tries to dart past the elemental.