She and Sasha nod in agreement.
Davod shrugs, "If Aukon suggests it, let us go."
She questions and requests, "Lahapraset, you said something about some treasures that would aid us. What are those items, since it looks like we are in an accord to help you."
Lahapraset gifts you with seven vials of oil of soften earth and stone and the wand of stone shape from the treasure, explaining that as creatures of
earth, the shaitans are likely to use stone walls instead of locked doors to secure their lair.
When you are ready to go, you need only to step into the entropic pool while Lahapraset concentrates on your destination. A moment later, the ghostly caves are suddenly and shockingly replaced by Kakishon—the
return is instantaneous.
Davod has experienced more magic in his short association with Aukon and Companhy than anytime in his life so far. The suli looks around to get the group's bearings.
"I-Is everyone alright?"
Her skin reddening she replies, "Yes thank you." She takes his reassuring hand and walks through with him and Khamsin behind.
He seems to genuinely enjoy the compliment and makes a simple observation,
"I am glad you feel that way. I move much slower than the rest of you."
You appear to be on a white stoned pier. The end is black and broken like the one you were on originally. There isn't a little done at the end. Instead you see a massive archway. It is connected with other arches by stone supports. A purple canvas covers each section leading up to the pleasure palace. A massive domed structure.
Halfway to the palace a beautiful simple human in jeweled Veil and a light flowing blue dress approaches with four floating Janni. The Janni are armed but the falchions are at their waists still.
The women gushes, "Oh good now we don't have to find you. My mistress has been watching some of your exploits and would like to get to know you more."
Davod's eyes dazzle at the wonders of the demiplane. Carpet floats by, as the thief kneels down to feel the rich purple rugs everywhere.
"No, Carpet. I don't think the massive purple carpet is magic. Well, not magic like you, maybe", the suli smiled at his intelligent item companion.
When the Aukon's party is met by the woman in the revealing blue dress and veil, Davod tries to hide his smile of delight.
This IS a Pleasure Palace, after all?! Davod thought to himself.
But Davod watches the janni guard very closely: for one thing, they were armed, and janni generally don't like humans. And another thing, most of the party wasn't human. Davod himself was half-janni, though the accepted word was 'suli'. The thief marveled at the people who were the same race as one of his parents!!
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Yes wishes, I am an Efreeti after all. Where else do you think such lowly heroes would have such good gear?"
Bahram looks at Pharos as she states this with a half smile. As it doesn't seem a joke, he looks around at the other 'heroes'.
Flying carpet, yeah, that makes sense. I wonder if that tree guy was once just a guy. Why would he do that?
Pinching himself, he hurries to catch up.
He quickly smiles and glances over at David, who seems to be doing the same, before it fades and his brow furrows.
Wait, she can't be human can she? This plane has been abandoned for how long? Careful
Striding forward with his hands to his sides, "Your mistress seems to have us at a disadvantage, we have yet to hear of her. Even so, I'd, we, would be happy to attend her."
She seems a bit startled by such an introduction, she simply relays, "I am Neshari, maiden of the house Mahad."
As you walk towards the pleasure palace Bahram plys his words to get information on this mistress. She speaks of how gracious, Dilix Mahad, the great cloud giantess has given refuge to those who were left behind and those that fled Obherak. My mistress is curious about you as you are likely curious about this new land you are currently within. If you are willing to help her, she in turn, will help you, if nothing else escape from this pocket dimension.
The ruined pleasure palace is in shambles. Neshari leads you to a crumbled plaza before the pleasure palace. Now all that remains is the partially collapsed brass dome and a large balcony on the dome's side that protrudes precariously over a cliff dropping into the jungle below. Neshari and the Jann bow as a beautiful giant of a woman appears at the edge of the balcony. She is dressed in extravagant robes and jewels.
The woman above quickly states, "Come up if you can, otherwise my Jann can carry. A grand feast will be made and held in your honor! Come we will break bread and tell of our own tales."
During the feast with Dilix, she first compliments each of you. Learning each of your names and offers greetings in response to what you are likely suited too. She asks some inquisitive questions, "Tell us about your trials and tribulations here in Kakishron." A dozen Jann float along and bring food and refreshment, the plates continue to arrive every few minutes until the large marble table is full.
Upon meeting their gracious hostess, she presents herself eloquently, "Greetings I am Pharos Alxandria, the Living Flame refined by the Maelstrom. We have many leaders in our group. We have the spiritual leaders Ala’Ihys Amatullah al-Rashid and Nima Lilly. Our leaders in Stealth Davod Mohidoon and Sasha Line. Then our warlord of Kelmarane, Aukan the Goliath. We also have the great Oolong the Golden Tree and Bahram al-Urgug, though they both recently met us."
But is merely assisting anyone who takes point,
Seeing the Efreeti approach she seems a bit alarmed but quickly she resumes her calm demeanor.
She obviously did not expect an Efreeti to be among you. She initially seemed almost hostile.
She quickly steps forward as Alexandria gets the meeting started, almost like her shadow. With her honeyed tongue sweetening her voice she states, "Yes, thank you for the introduction. Sasha Line at your service, Sasha is just fine, we humbly accept your offer and hope we may come to a beneficial outcome."
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Bahram is pretty sure that he can climb up to meet the giantess, but the thought of having a jann fly him up is too much for him to pass up. He nods to one of them to beckon them over and attempts to make small talk with the jann as it flies him up. "Thanks for the assist. I'm Bahram by the way. What's your story? how did all you jann end up here?"
As all of these fantastical creatures greet one another, Bahram still can't wrap his head around what is actually happening. Little things are escaping his notice.
Even so, he is never one to miss out on a social exchange. He was about to attempt to sweet talk the giantess when Sasha Line beats him to the punch.
She is a leader in stealth. I didn't even realize she was here. Did we get introduced? I guess she is just too ordinary for me to have remembered.
"Yes, thank you for the introduction. Sasha Line at your service, Sasha is just fine, we humbly accept your offer and hope we may come to a beneficial outcome."
I don't know why, but that just sounded so perfectly genuine, that I don't think that I could do better.
"Yes, I second Sasha here. I think that what you are doing here is absolutely wonderful, taking in all of these refugees like this. I'm Bahram, by the way. Bahram al-Urgug. I've actually just popped into this realm. I found Nex's back door into here. Unfortunately it does not also go back out." He gives a sheepish smile at this last bit.
The Jann impassively lifts Bahram without saying a word.
A few new friends and your hostess raise eyes at this mention. Dilix asks in a warm welcoming voice, "Are you sure it only goes one way? There are many such backdoors but they each have too much danger and unknown factors to try."
The server does provide Khamsin with refreshments.
She graciously accepts and with some aid mounts up behind Ala’Ihys.
He pleasantly eplies, "No worries my friend, unless these floating men can lift a ton of gold, I won't be joining you up there. I will likely explore the ruins some. Call for me when you are done." After the Jann try and fail he begins to wriggle towards the ruins.
She nudges the Suli and states in response to Ala'lhys, "Davod got turned into a statue too!"
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Are you sure it only goes one way?
"I'm afraid so. I wasn't sure if it would remain open before I went through the portal, but sure enough, it winked out and disappeared upon arriving in this realm. There was no archway on this side to reopen one. I decided that if it did not return me, then I would just have to find my objective and find a new way out. Luck tends to be on my side, I just have to give it time. I'm searching for a cube about yay big. It's called a cube of Nex. It's the reason I risked the gate. As long as I find that, everything else is oasis. You say you need help with something too?"
Well, it's out there. They know why I'm here. It sounds like they got shunted here against their will. Someone said something about a prison or something. I'm guessing their not treasure hunters then. Why would they be?! They have a wish granting genie! Wait...why haven't they wished themselves out of here?
Bahram's mind races around his current circumstances as he tries to figure out what is going on. And so many strange companions to figure out, but no time to do so.
Time to wing it!
She nudges the Suli and states in response to Ala'lhys, "Davod got turned into a statue too!"
"True. But I got better, Lady Pharos", Davod stated with a playful smirk, as he climbed aboard Carpet to ascend.
Sasha tells about the broad strokes of their endeavors doing her best to leave out any essential points of information, she speaks upon their arrival and the survival that ensued, the cryptic message that lead them to hunt for the Golden Ram, the second hunt without Alexandria, the fall off the edge of eternity, meeting Bahram, and finding themselves at this way point.
After the stories provided by your group Dilix pointedly asks, "Are you aligned with the Proteans? You seem so reasonable I wouldn't expect you to be aligned with Oberhack."
She quickly looks to the group, looking for nods or shakes before saying anything.
Aukan shrugs.
Alexandria looks her way and nods.
Davod calls out to Dilix from Carpet. "A protean brought us here. Beyond that, we have no alligences with The Maelstrom."
The group is mostly sitting at the marble table where the feast is laid out. Apparently Davod is still on Carpet.
She quickly asks to divert the conversation, "We know very little of this Oberak, who is he and why do you oppose him"
Davod quietly lands and joins the table.
She points out in a friendly demeanor, "Obherak is a cruel shaitan whose personal vices and Hubris make him a dangerous ally, and if he would betray a fellow genie, what would keep him from betraying a mortal? He also likely can't provide you with a way out of Kakishron. Though the Proteans are chaotic beings and shouldn't be trusted, that their main goal is the destruction of Kakishron."
Though as you have made her helpful she tells you about all the islands. She promises to aid in whatever way she can once you come to your final battle versus Obherak or the proteans.
She hands her bracelet of friends to Nima, telling you to call upon her aid, once, with the bracelet. She also offers to Davod a small golden lamp and she says it's a galley charm that you can use to summon a Nexian galley at any Waypoint.
She also warns you of Jhavhul, the efreeti warlord is doubtless raining havoc upon the world without and that many of those you left behind might even blame you for for releasing Jhavhul. Worse still he has likely claimed the scroll for himself and when you get free be ready for anything. He is a dangerous foe, before he was imprisoned in the scroll, he was seeking to awaken a powerful monstrosity called Xotani the Firebleeder. Xotani is a spawn of Rovagug but I know little else.
Jhavhul's true lair lies somewhere deeper in the Pale Mountain below the House of the Beast, in a place I have never visited, yet knows as "Xotani's Grave."
She tells you about the different islands, those that live there, Jhavhul 's past, and some advice. Seek out the azer smith Artel on the island of Salenax, as the azer was no friend of Jhavhul. Bring him a piece of flint from the top of the Black Spire in Khosravi. Tell him you want to kick Jhavhul's teeth in and he will give you some advice and likely a gift to help slay the bastard.
My other advice is to visit the Isle of the Dead, where Jhavhul slew Andrathi. I have heard rumors of his restless spirit roaming there. He is likely the one to suggest a way out of Kakishron not using the proteans.
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"I have not heard of this Obherak Shaitan, but he certainly does not sound like someone we would like to ally with. I appreciate your judgement about tempering our trust in the chaotic proteans."He says, tapping his chin with his finger. "What is your stake in this? Are you looking to stay here and make this your home, or are you also looking to escape with your protected refugees? It would be helpful to know how to best help you. How did you come to be in this place? Once we know these things, it sounds like we have a battle campaign to plan out. It's funny how differently things can change as soon as you step through a portal."
Looking away from Dilix to the rest of the group, "So, you guys release another efreeti loose on the material plane? Something to look forward to on our return. 'Xatonai's Grave'. Sounds ominous."
"I have not heard of this Obherak Shaitan, but he certainly does not sound like someone we would like to ally with. I appreciate your judgement about tempering our trust in the chaotic proteans."He says, tapping his chin with his finger. "What is your stake in this? Are you looking to stay here and make this your home, or are you also looking to escape with your protected refugees? It would be helpful to know how to best help you. How did you come to be in this place? Once we know these things, it sounds like we have a battle campaign to plan out. It's funny how differently things can change as soon as you step through a portal."
Looking away from Dilix to the rest of the group, "So, you guys release another efreeti loose on the material plane? Something to look forward to on our return. 'Xatonai's Grave'. Sounds ominous."
Dilix takes her time to answer each of your questions. "My stake? I had an idea to rebuild the Pleasure Palace and rule here but that would only be possible if Obherak is dealt with. Though knowing some of the protean's plan, they need all 'mortals' or at least beings that are not made up of the protean mix need to be expelled before they can unravel the place. With that in mind I would like to find some treasures in the palace and escape, possibly with you. I was a guard pushed into Jhavhul's service. Like most that he left behind, the lowly and easily forgotten." She seems a bit forlorn at the thought though you can see the anger in her eyes as well.
Listening as Dilix provides them with even more information Ala'Ihys tries to get a picture of the events. The gaps in their story not sitting well with the forthright Ala'Ihys, he leans forwards and speaks.
"Obherak is not our friend, as our story has revealed, we've just come to this realm and have met very few. One of those we've met, along with yourself and Oolong" He pauses long enough to gesture down towards where they last saw the Ropper, then continues "was the protean Lahapraset living on Kakishron, the Isle of Not."
Looking towards his friends, he hopes that the truth does not cause the group any harm. "It was she who opened the portal for us. It was she who also asked us to free the imentesh protean, Magiyawalla from the shaitan named Obherak. She thought you might be able to tell us more about Magiyawalla’s fate and Obherak’s defenses."
Giving a light shrug. "Her payment would be freedom from this place, but I've no idea how she intends to do so." Furrowing his brow. "We've also no idea what her underlying desires are, only what she has told us."
"Ah yes, Lahapraset is a very conniving creature. We got to interact with her some when we came to this prison. As the groups sifted and settled she stirred the pot several times to get many of us to fight each other. I don't know of Magiwalla's fate though I am sure she is still alive a good bargaining chip with the proteans. His defenses are simple. Walls of stone as doors and as a shaitian can mold and shape stone as easily as you can part... fog. There isn't really a good analogy."
Kakishon holds a bewildering array of islands, each
with specialized environments originally designed
for the entertainment of Nex and his guests or the
punishment of his prisoners.
The islands of Kakishon are not particularly large, yet
their environments and ecology are magically sustained
as something of a living museum, pleasure park, and
hunting preserve. The environments for each island
extend to approximately a quarter-mile (1,320 feet) from
the isle’s shore. Weather patterns and temperature effects
swiftly return to Kakishon’s natural balmy conditions
beyond this range—the open seas of Kakishon are
always gentle and comfortably warm.
Perhaps the most marvelous of Kakishon’s
islands is Aliskiren, a perpetual winterland bedecked
with icicles and snow in the midst of a tropic sea.
Mephits flit about in the cold winds and snow flurries
of Aliskiren, herding and taunting the cryohydras and
remorhazes that hunt the ice-rifts, and keeping them
clear of frolicking guests.
Sometimes referred to as the “Isles of
Not” or “The End of Eternity,” Andakami is the shadowy
realm that exists beyond the edge of the map. The placid,
sun-drenched tropic seas of the Kakishon archipelago
extend to the horizon, but the farther one travels from
the islands the more pale and wan the sun appears, like a
fading sunset that drifts into misty twilight. Eventually,
the cataract of world’s end can be heard in the distance,
and sea and sky merge into nebulous haze. The formless
void that exists beyond the edge is the realm to which
Nex banished his protean army. It is said the Isles of Not
cannot be found save by those who already know where
they are, for they are not tied to any one place but float
wherever in the voidspace the proteans need them to be,
and that one who sails beyond the map’s edge without
such a guide could be lost forever.
This small, crescent-shaped island is
bedecked with a forest of crystal. The harmonic ringing
that rises from wind blowing across this crystalscape gives
the island its other name—the Singing Isle. This land is
ruled by families of xorn, which tend to the crystals as
both a form of art and a source of food.
Located between Kakishon and
Khandelwal, this island was at one point of great
import, as it was to be the location of the Mausoleum
of Nex. Although Nex never completed the construction
of his crypt, the isle remains a place of reflection and
remembrance, of tears and of wisdom. Some say the
spirits of Nex’s advisors endure in his tomb, bound to
serve him in death but never joined by their master. The
Isle of the Dead was the site of a terrific battle many
decades ago, when Jhavhul confronted Andrathi
here before brutally murdering him. Although his spirit has long since gone on to its final rest, Andrathi’s
presence still lingers on the Isle in the form of his
familiar, Spooky.
Whereas the rest of Kakishon has a
regular day/night cycle, the four Isles of Night lie under the
Arc of Night, an eternal shroud crafted by Nex that bathes
the islands and the channels between in perpetual twilight.
The subtlety of the enchantment still enables plants to
grow and thrive despite the shroud, but the islands teem
with dark-loving wildlife and vermin, from bats and giant
owls soaring above to centipedes, ettercaps, and krenshars
prowling below. The largest of the Isles of Night is Rukhsana,
with its sister Rishindra lying to the south and west, just
off the tip of Kakishon. The smaller isles of Farahani and
Demirji trail in their wake toward the Serpent Isles, and are
often visited by gnoll outriggers from those islands.
The namesake island of this pocket paradise,
tropical Kakishon is flanked by numerous smaller
islands—the Mermaid’s Necklace to the southwest and
Arinze and Marwah to the east. Kakishon and its neighbors
are richly forested, with a spine of low mountains running
the main island’s length. Griffons roost in Kakishon’s
heights, while monkeys, apes, tigers, and wild animals of
all kinds dwell among the trees. The dominant feature of
Kakishon is the grand Pleasure Palace of Nex.
Even in the midst of a verdant paradise, Nex
knew some of his guests would miss the shifting desert sands,
so he created Khandelwal, the Isle of Sand Rivers. Rimmed
with a quarter-mile-wide ring of jungle, the interior of this
island is a large and eternally shifting desert.
Also known as the Isle of Flint, this barren
and rugged land was a place where any could test their skill
and strength against animated war machines and shifting
terrain. The island was also a trophy of sorts, for it was here
that Nex impaled the mortal remains of the Eater of Magic,
a mighty beast sent against him by Geb early in the war
with his southern neighbor. Today, the isle is a graveyard
of ruined weapons and destroyed constructs. An active
volcano rises from the isle of Salenax just to the southeast,
connected to Khosravi via the Phoenix Bridge.
This ring of 3 islands (Sarygamysh
in the north, Sorror in the south, and the small island of
Azzabes in the east) surrounds a large sea. Designed as a
hunting ground, these isles teem with serpents and hydras
of all sorts, as well as an enchanted golden ram that Nex
devised to challenge the greatest hunters. A small clan of
feral gnolls also survives here, descendants of deserters
from Jhavhul’s army and survivors of the massacre of their
kin by the proteans.
There are many tiny islands scattered around the
archipelago. These islands typically share the environment of whatever island is nearest to them. At the GM’s discretion,
PCs may be able to direct a Nexian galley to visit one of
them, and each island may have its own Waypoint, if little
else of consequence.
For the past several centuries the genie armies of Jhavhul
have waged war on the proteans, yet the war was in large
part a stalemate—a situation further complicated when the
shaitans (earth genies) of Jhavhul’s army rebelled against
their leader and relocated to the desert isle of Khandelwal.
With three factions all seeking the others’ destruction, no
one faction felt safe enough to strike against another, for
fear of the third group taking advantage of the situation.
At the presentation of the golden lamp charm, Davod bows in gratitude. "Why, thank you, Lady Dilix. You are most kind."
Turning to the others, the suli asks, "Well, shall we go on a escapade after our feast, or rest up and find how much a Pleasure this Palace is?"
Dilix pleasantly replies with, "You are welcome my dear friends, may we all have luck in the future."
He states, "My belly is full and there is so much more to eat. Lapretesh had a feast for us as well but nothing compared to this one. I hope the food won't go bad. Yes, I believe we could easily continue. Nima how are you on spells?"
Nima relays, "I am actually well stocked with my spells, I have only used a few. Within the next few hours I will have to pray for new ones but that can be done on the boat."
Ala'lhys finds Oolong with his tendrils and tentacles out searching. He retracts them and states, "I am ready to go whenever."
Davod smiles, so pleased to know such wonderous beings. "Well, alright then! Let's talk with a shaitian!"
Returning to the stone pier, with some help with the trip down if needed, you see the beautiful calm water and scene.
The sun is just setting,
"Hmm", Davod ponders aloud. "Ismaizade seems like the best place to start. Although Khandelwal and Khosravi, also seem like possible place the shaitan could dwell. Let's try Ismaizade first."
The suli then activates the golden lamp charm to manifest the Nexian galley.
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"Sounds as good a spot as any other. At some point in time, we have to decide who to throw our lot in with. At this moment, I'm leaning toward Dilix, though I'm for using every angle presented to us. We have a few objectives presented to us, and as many oddities to discover as there are grains of sand in the desert, it would seem."
Bahram has no idea what to do next. He is at a complete loss. He expected to gate into a castle of some sort, find some riches, then find a gate out. This is completely foreign to him, but he is game.
At a loss of options she and the others nod in the choice, getting upon the galley they rest.
As they get upon the ship she says. "You each need to make a wish or they will be wasted."