Sadly I think you're right.
Search Posts
Zephram nods at Zane's statement, "Indeed. Our mission is rather urgent."
Will be out of town starting tomorrow until the 31st. Feel free to bot Zephram (preferably in a way that doesn't get him killed)
Zephram offers, "I am Zephram, a Varisian traveler and follower of Zols."
Zephram's excitement builds as he realizes where they are, The knowledge here... I could just lock myself in that room for a decade and unlock so many lost secrets... He then sighs, But there's no point in pursing knowledge at the expense of the world... especially if these drow are trying to break the world. He bows at the sentinel, but says nothing, letting the others speak.... partially in fear of the hundreds of questions swirling in his mind escaping the moment he opens his mouth.
Zephram nods, "I concur. That would be the module intelligent approach."
Zephram looks at the map, then suggests, "I think it would be logical to start with the closest of the sages, and then fan out as needed."
Zephram closes his eyes, visualizing the book's pages in his mind, using the tricks he'd learned in his training to try to keep every iota of the new information, then nods at Cynara's suggestion, "Agreed. Let's learn all that we can - it may help us figure out the drow's plan... and the knowledge itself is very valuable."
Zephram watches carefully, his mind racing as he tries to imagine all the knowledge that might be found here.
Zephram nods, "That does seem logical. Though I wonder how they gained their familiarity with this place...."
Zephram shakes his head, "I believe it is more that this place is like a.. well, a memory of our world. Perhaps we could inquire with Master Eloquan about our quarry?" He frowns, then adds, "Unless we think it's possible that the portal brought us somewhere other than where they went?"
Zephram whispers, "Should we address the elf below? I'm a little wary, given the Aboleth's subterfuge, but at the same time, it does not appear to be a drow... and he may know much that we do not."
Zephram looks around carefully, clearly wondering at the intact architecture until Zane speaks, That would explain it... He says, "I don't think I'd ever realized that the Plane of Shadow could be used to study the past like this. It is truly impressive. To be honest, I always thought if I were to visit another Plane, it would be the Plane of Air."
Zephram smirks, "That should work.", then checks his bottles and follows his companions through the portal,
Zephram nods, "I think that's best. Though I think a message from you would be more likely to be understood and trusted, even with the battles we've won on behalf of your people." He draws his rapier, and steps up to the portal, "Normally, I would offer to scout ahead, but we do not have time -- given what we may face on the other side, I may not be the best choice to serve as vanguard."
Zephram stares at the pain taster, distracted at the thought of the degree of fervor, if not insanity, that would be required to take on such a mantle. Can't help but wonder if mother had a touch of that in her... single-minded research... He shakes himself out of his thoughts as Zane speaks, quickly turning his attention to the gate, then nodding, "I concur. We must act quickly, if we are to act."
Zephram allows himself a small smile as Nakoda steps into position, then lashes out with his rapier, his already swift hands boosted by Zane's magic.
So far, so good. Total lack of sleep as adjust, but I've got a healthy wife and daughter.
Going to be out of contact for a week and then spotty for another week. Apologies for the late notice, but C-section is tomorrow.
Zephram shakes his head, "Not I."
After a moment, Zephram shrugs, "It seems to be gone."
He scans the room, the halts... "There seems to be a blood trail -- droplets smeared by boots perhaps. It goes from the door we came in to... " He points to the far door, "..there."
Zephram freezes for a moment, wincing at the sound that seems to tear at him... He shakes it off and prepares too lunge forward at the strange creature.. waiting... then sighing, "I don't much like the thought of leaving something so dangerous and evil behind.... Can those things teleport to safety?"
Zephram winces as the beast lashes out to him, only to see the attack bounce off his sinewy, mutated flesh, That was most fortunate... He drops the bow, and pulls his rapier, studying the creature's movements carefully, making ready for the next time it tries to strike.
Zephram readies his bow and nocks an arrow, waiting for parry of the aboleth to break the surface.
Zephram whistles as his memories click, "Zohls! It's an aboleth! That's the opposite of good... "
Zephram looks at the strange creature in the water, and thinks back, trying to figure out what is tugging at his mind that might be familiar about this..
Zephram calls out to his companions, "Twice, now, she has tried to bespell us. This is no innocent trapped creature."
Zephram stops himself, then calls out, "Using magic to compel us is not how it's done in this world. "
Zephram frowns, "Bound against your will? That is most unpleasant..." He pauses, his thoughts racing, "...We could benefit greatly from learning what the drow have been asking her... Maybe enough to determine their plan."
Zephram pauses, A light-skinned elf.... Most unexpected... especially as she does not appear to be a prisoner. Then again, the drow are rather treacherous... and, what's more, people seeking power often align themselves with unpleasant sorts. He cocks his head at the question, not responding, watching the speaker, trying to determine the truth of the situation before offering anything.
Zephram nods, "Logically, then, that weakens our foes. Some of them, at least, should have a harder time drawing upon the abyssal power." He looks at Nakoda for a moment, then says, "I would suggest we move on, however, before any of them come to investigate -- better to strike on the offensive than be pinned down here -- since those same drow would be aware of the stone's destruction."
Zephram says, "Weakening a Demon Lord's power seems a noble goal, and potentially useful .. it may weaken the drow."
Zephram exhales, letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, "That should keep for a while."
Zephram nods at his companions, now a safe distance back. He looks carefully at the spell pattern, That flaw in the pattern can be exploited... I can unweave it... I just hope that the energy will diffuse when I do it...
Zephram shakes his head, "It's my own fault for not preparing a resist extract, but I was thinking of melee and drow poison.. fireballs, not so much.."
Zephram nods, "Demon worshipping... Delightful." He steps forward, tools in hands, muttering to himself and speaking his thoughts aloud, "I can see some flaws in the runes that I can probably exploit and may be able to neutralize, although a powerful spell like that has a lot of energy that could misfire... Or surge..." He turns to the others, "It might be safer if you all stand back, just in case... And I may need to resist fire."
Zephram nods at Sylvianna, "Maybe we can keep it off-balance while Nakoda uses her pick to kill it?", bouncing on his feet before striking again with the rapier.
As a head's up, I'm about to be out of town and without easy access to a computer for about 2 weeks -- basically, I'll be able to post Monday (13) and then not again 'til the 28th. Feel free to bot Zephram as needed -- given the fact his foe is mindless, his usual "feint and strike" isn't really useful and he's not really able to harm the creature (DR) -- so he's likely going to look at withdrawing (though he'll probably try his studied strike before he does so -- hoping that a very vulnerable hit will at least do *something*). Of course, if anyone has an adamantine dagger to slip him, he'll be more than happy to try to slowly whittle down the golem.
Zephram winces from the heavy blow, This is not an exchange I can win...., then relaxes as the healing energy washes over him. "I do not believe I am harming it..." he states resignedly, then strikes again, I can only hope my companions can do damage while I keep it occupied... for
Zephram watches the creature for a moment, It is a most unnatural movement, but I believe I see the pattern... Hopefully striking at a vulnerable spot will allow me to harm it... for
Zephram frowns, It must be a strange variant golem if I could not recognize it... then again, that might explain why it seemed familiar.. His mind racing, he realizes, This may have been a bad choice, I believe normal golems are difficult to injure... He calls out, "What do you know of its strengths and weaknesses?"
Using the speed granted by his potion, Zephram races around the corner, closing with the bow-wielding creature to strike with his rapier. Having me so close should interfere with it shooting the others... for
Zephram pauses, looking at the form, "There's a massive form there... an interesting sight.. " He trails off, trying to place the figure in his memory....
Zephram uses his speed to rush toward the mage, stopping just short of turning the corner, I'll do my best to stay out of the wizard's sight... Then hopefully jump out to run him through...
|