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Zeran watches with great interest. When Windchime uses the wand to neutralize the poison and Josten releases his 'dragon's roar' Zeran roars with laughter. "Truly legendary! But, did it taste good enough to be worth being poisoned!?! What would Cayden say!!!" He tips his glass up, enjoying the taste and the slight feeling of inebriation. He usually didn't allow such, but this place was different from his normal life!
Zeran watches Windchime, curious about lighting the drink on fire. It obviously had strong alcohol in it. When Josten toasts he picks his up and grins. "Indeed, Cheers!" He tries to follow the godling's example, drinking it slowly to get a good smell and taste of the white liquid.... The drink is.... delicious! And almost as smooth as the milk that it resembles! Zeran finishes his with a huge smile. "I think I have a new favorite drink! That was incredible!"
Zeran laughs and calls out to Windchime "Well then I'll try the 'mere mortal' version of the Dragon Whiskey too. Never know but I might find a new favorite drink!"
Zeran flops down across from Josten. "Did I hear Dragon Whiskey? Sounds.... Well, it sounds like something your Father would be drinking. Is it safe for mere mortals, like me?"
Zeran stows the coin but then hears Britta. "Are you sure Britta? If you change your mind will you be able to catch up with us?" Glancing at the doorway Zeran shrugs. "Any need to delay further? I think we should step through and see where we come out."
Zeran grins at Josten's question. "Freedom's Toast! It's a great spell, created either by the God Cayden Cailean, or a worshiper. He's one of my favorites. But, the spell is not one that I usually prepare so I had to use my focus to cast it. That's why I cursed when it grabbed you again. I couldn't cast it again."
Zeran listens to Windchime's recommendation.... "Hmm.... Windchime, that sounds, well, that definitely sounds like something worth trying. I've never had anything like it so, sure!"
Zeran considers the words. He had thought the scorpion had just used his burrowing ability to launch a sneak attack. But the combat was over and they'd won? He cancels the extra images of himself and considers the words. 'Cooperative technique', 'combat proficiencies', and 'fighting style'? He understood the words, but his fighting style was to avoid fights as much as possible, and sling spells at an enemy that wouldn't accept that! Sling spells? That was it, he needed practice firing targeted spells into a chaotic melee if this kind of fighting was going to continue.
"I prefer avoiding melee.... But if there's some way I could learn to target opponents in melee better? while staying back from the actual fight? Is that 'Slap Yo Mama' drink advisable for someone that seldom drinks? I'm a wizard and usually like to keep my senses alert."
Zeran glances around, looking for Windchime. "Windchime? Are you still around? We've been directed to request a 'Slap Yo Mama' at the bar. Is there any food that you'd recommend with that? I think I'd like to sit back at the table and think about the fight we just had." Finally relaxed Zeran looks around at the others. "Silvertail? You were wounded terribly. Will you be able to heal? I'm afraid I don't have any healing magics. My wounds automatically close so I never thought about making healing wands."
Six images of Zeran appear around the edge of the wall, scanning the area. "Perhaps we should be up on these walls in case he tries to burrow up under someone?"
Feeling the biting cold, and seeing the huge beast attacking Silvertail causes Zeran to panic a bit. Could he see through invisibility? How long ago did he cast it? Fearing for his life he moves around the wall and casts a spell that he should have cast before the start of this....
Zeran mutters as he tucks his little mug away and sees Josten grabbed again. "Dammit Josten, I can't cast that spell again!" He considers and casts his last fire spells, quickening the second with the rod.
Zeran sees Josten grappled and strides forward pulling a small mug from his spell components. He mutters the words of the spell as he raises the mug and focuses on Josten, 'moving' him to an empty space behind the creature, free and ready to act.
Zeran is surprised at the thing's apparent dexterity and speed, but at least it meant he didn't need to take time to dismiss his tentacles.... He thinks a second and pulls out spell components for a fire spell. Not fireball since that would make the area slippery and just hinder his people. He likes thinking of them as his people!
Ray #1
Ray #2
Seeing the creature pretty much ignore the grapple effect of the tentacles Zeran calls out, "Should I cancel the tentacles? They aren't grappling but they do make the area difficult which might slow it down a little...."
Zeran considers things and pulls out another wand. Maybe someone.... ?? "For anyone that uses stealth but can't already do it, this wand will give 7 rounds of Invisibility that won't end when you attack. I worry that the creature might sense anyone coming on the ground anyway.... But maybe it would help?"
Zeran steps up by Britta to direct the swarm of fangs onward to try and find the enemy.
Zeran directs the fangs to move ahead. If they detect an enemy perhaps they could start 'chewing' on it? "I wonder how big this 'arena' is? One of these days I really should make myself a few wands, just so I have a few more spells to use on the little monsters that precede the boss...."
Since he's close enough to watch his fang swarm do it's work he nods at the persistence. It may not be much damage, but it all adds up....
Zeran strolls forward like he hasn't a care. He keeps the Foretelling active as he walks. Speaking in giant he ridicules them. "Really? Is this the best you can do? You should throw your weapon down and run. We might let you live if you run fast enough."
Zeran grumbles about walls and not having wings. He moves closer, trying to get within range (30') of where he thinks Britta is to announce a prediction.
Aid: Foretell (Su): At 8th level, you can utter a prediction of the immediate future. While your foretelling is in effect, you emit a 30-foot aura of fortune that aids your allies or hinders your enemies, as chosen by you at the time of prediction. If you choose to aid, you and your allies gain a +2 luck bonus on ability checks, attack rolls, caster level checks, saving throws, and skill checks. If you choose to hinder, your enemies take a –2 penalty on those rolls instead. You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to your wizard level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Zeran calls out as he glances around the corner. "I'm not really a battle mage, I'm a diviner. But maybe these guys can chew on them....." He calls out the arcane syllables and send a swarm of biting teeth to attack the giants.
After Zeran gets Haste cast he switches and casts Mage Armor on himself. He doesn't think it would do much, but it's standard....
Zeran nods and glances around at the group. "One round, so one spell before we enter. Haste OK with everyone then?"
Zeran shrugs when Britta points out his error. "OK. Good point, we want to see what each other can do. My informational spells won't help in battle though, and I'm not a battle mage. Any enemy getting close to me will just.... suffocate. What are the rules for the arena? Concerning casting spells before entering for example? I assume there aren't any rules once we are inside...."
"Is there a viewing area for those of us that aren't armored combatants? I'd like to watch but can't imagine ever wanting to be in an arena...."
Once it is obvious that Britta is done talking with the brain-rats Zeran approaches. "Very interesting. And you handled that interaction incredibly well. Have you encountered such evolved murinae before? I find this place fascinating. I'm actually fine going to look for the mentioned artifact if everyone else seems to be going. But I also hope to get back here!" Seeing (and hearing) the heavy set lizard person Zeran just shakes his head. An arena? Well, some would consider that to be entertaining.... He almost misses Silvertail's comments about the job. "Information? I'm ready to hear whatever you've found." Looking at Josten he asks, "What sort of talents are you looking for? I can use a little magic, but the folks around here are almost all more interesting than me."
Zeran stays with Britta as she approaches a table with six rats. When they focus on them and speak in unison he considers casting a detection spell to see if he can discern, and possibly understand an enchantment of illusion? But she immediately speaks with them as if such things are normal on her plane, er Galaxy? He stays back to observe.
As the group splits up to look for information Zeran tries to think of who to follow. The godling that is a walking/talking charm spell? The talking fox? Why would someone wear the world on their face? He notices Britta turn to go and grabs his staff. "Do you mind if I tag along with you? I might not be much help, but I'll try to keep up."
Zeran listens.... "Farun? Faerun? And why are the Realms Forgotten? Who forgot them that they got named the Forgotten Realms? Does the world have a name?" He closes his book and packs it away. Taking hold of his staff he nods. "I'm ready. Oh wait. I wonder if I can get some of that jelly, to go?"
Zeran listens to the details of the offer. The coin would be helpful for future items that he wanted to craft, perhaps a couple of low level wands that would allow him to diversify his available spells.... "Faeurn? in the Forgotten Realms? Is anyone familiar with that world? We'll need a bit more direction unless we want to search an entire continent. I have a divination to assist me in learning details, but I have to be on the world before I can cast it. And I have to know enough to at least frame a valid question...."
Zeran shrugs with a grin at Britta's words and pulls out a rather small book and starts flipping through it, deciding on what spells he might need for this trip. "This is my spellbook, but it's not likely to be a very interesting read. Wizards use a 'shorthand' that they develop for themselves. I've never known any that could easily decipher anyone else's...." Hearing the giggle and words from Kagiero Zeran shrugs. "Good question. Why not us? You're probably right. Other than 'the Sisters', joking.... none of us claim to be evil, so locating the evil artifact might be a good quest. If the.... individual that is sponsoring the group of adventurers to recover and destroy the item follows through and doesn't try to take it, we still need to figure out how to destroy it. Having never actually dealt with any artifacts I only know what I've read. Every document I've read indicated they were very hard to destroy. Some even randomly teleport or plane shift away if you try."
Zeran stares at Britta for a moment. The expression on his face indicates that perhaps he hadn't thought about her 'messing with artifacts', and maybe that concerned him.... ?? Then he winks. "But you think of artifacts as rocks, or some relic from a time past, or some ancient technology. Not dangerous, self-aware intelligent and powerful magical items." He grins and adds, "But unless you've been toying with me for all this time, I think I can trust you. Besides, you're not trying to hire a group of adventurers. You're willing to be part of that group of adventurers."
Still thinking about artifacts and intelligent, self-aware magical items Zeran realizes that he hadn't fully addressed the concerns of the Starwind sisters. He doesn't understand the discrimination that they mention, but did know that such things do happen. He glances around to see if all three are around. "Ladys Starwind, Please accept my apology for my poorly chosen words. I don't judge a person for choosing to focus their life on arcane or divine magics, regardless of the source of that magic." He considers his words, and her words. "It's interesting, at least to me, that you mention being hunted. We had a similar discussion with Silvertail just a bit ago. I said then that I don't hunt. Foxes, or people.... Actually, I wasn't commenting about witches. I was commenting on the quest that we were discussing. And if it had said that a Paladin was seeking to hire a group of adventurers to find and destroy an evil artifact, I'd still have been suspicious of it. So I guess you could say that I just don't trust anyone that wants to mess with artifacts."
Zeran absorbs the words, working them into his frame of thinking. "Artificial intelligence. So.... A crafted device, capable of learning? Making decisions independently from it's creators plans? Yes then. That would be like an artifact. And they aren't all evil. Many artifacts are imbued with the personality and values of the person, or persons that created them. A few somehow break from that and become fully self willed. I don't understand how that works, but...." He shrugs rather than continue his rambling.
Zeran almost chokes when Britta asks her question about his cloak. He chuckles a bit before catching his breath enough to answer. "No. None of my magics have any intelligence. Maybe when I gain more power and coin I might try crafting a sentient device... But that depends on what the future holds." "By the way, what does an AI mean?"
Zeran glances at the sisters. "So lovely...." And rather intimidating, under other situations. "I didn't say anything about not trusting you witches. I believe my exact words were supposed 'witch'. I've been open about the fact that I'm a wizard, and that I don't trust very many wizards either. We don't know that the individual actually is a witch. It seems odd to me that a user of arcane magics would seek to hire a group of adventurers to acquire and destroy a powerful magic item such as an 'evil artifact'."
Zeran nods agreement with Josten's words. "Or the artifact might ally with the demon, making it exponentially more powerful!" He grins at Britta. "I may be from a technologically backward planet, but I do understand the principles of mathematics!" He considers her as she mentions her fighting style. "That makes sense with the powers of.... Well, how you empower your equipment. But don't waste any poison on a demon. It would likely be useful on any allies the demon might have." "I'd be curious about the supposed 'witch' as well. How much does she know about the artifact? Is it possible that she really wants the artifact destroyed as is stated? Or, does she intend to take the artifact once it is recovered? Any information that she might provide shouldn't be trusted, especially any information about how to destroy it!"
Zeran considers the choice and shrugs. There wasn't much information.... "In terms of magic, artifacts are at the peak, powerful and frequently confusing. And they are usually incredibly hard to destroy. We'll need to research where the ruins of Barad Mergo are, what the artifact is.... how it was made, stuff like that. That might help us figure out how to complete the quest." "Oh, and yes, artifacts can be good or evil depending on how and why they were created. Some of them are even intelligent, almost like a living thing." "Sounds interesting. When will we be going? I'll have some preparations to make. Have to select spells to ready...."
Zeran finally throws off his 'funk' as Britta and Kagiero are discussing that destroying planets is not good. He mentally reviews the conversation that he 'heard' while he hadn't really been listening. He was glad to have developed that talent while in College.... "I think that's one of the hardest things about war. Even when you are on the 'side or right', innocent people get hurt." He turns to Josten and asks, "So what happens when war comes to the higher planes? Surely the evil planar powers don't just leave it alone?"
Zeran has trouble tearing his attention away from the 'datapad', but eventually does with Britta's question. "War? Sadly yeah. There are beings with God-like power, and some actual Gods. That usually leads to religious leaders trying to stamp out other religions. And of course there are the demons. Some really stupid casters, arcane or divine that summon them and try to control them. Note the word 'try'. It's the important part of THAT sentence. And others are just politically motivated, control resources...." He closes his eyes and turns his head away. "I hate war." He glances at Kagiero as she explains the Dragon followers. "Absolute power...."
Zeran listens, and watches, stunned to silence..... almost. "Wow. So much...."
Zeran frowns, then clears his frown as he works out the meaning. "Tele.... caster. So 'tele' meaning distance, like in teleportation or telepathy. And 'caster' as in moving, like throwing dice or casting something away. I've never heard of such a device, other than legends of ships called 'Spelljammers'? Interesting. I'd like to see such a thing."
Synthetic? Zeran pauses a moment wondering. Even breaking the word down to individual syllables.... ?? But he decides to leave that enigma alone. Obviously they have background language issues. "Exactly right. Two to three times as large as a big man, and some forms are easily as smart and skilled as any other race. That's why they can be such formidable enemies. Big and strong aren't enough if that were the whole of it." As Britta explains about her home galaxy there are again a number of words that are difficult, but he can understand the general meaning. When she starts comparing her.... data pad with the other he is totally clueless. But when she compares it to the book, mentioning that it holds so much more than the 4' thick book? "Wow! Now that'd I would love to learn more about. That's even better than my spellbook." "What sort of 'caster' would you need? I can't teleport the vast distances like you say, between worlds. But I am a wizard."
Zeran does seem slightly concerned when Britta jokes about his "gift", but happily takes the cloak back. "Many mages consider a cloak like this to be silly and unnecessary. It gives me more variety with my cantrip so I feel that it's still worth wearing." He considers her comment about his familiar and nods. "I'm willing to let you try and.... 'milk' it. If she doesn't like it I'll know instantly. Her emotions are fully developed. Right now she's feeling curious, I assume about what i want from her. That's one of the problems with just emotional communication. We share feelings, not complete thoughts. Soon though." He glances again at the book. "You're not familiar with Giants? I'm sure some people on Golarian think that they're just stories. But ogres, ettins, and real giants are very real and very dangerous. Possibly as dangerous as dragons, and they're real too. I've seen a few, from a distance. We didn't have the fire power to fight them so we avoided them...." As he reads a little more he hears Britta mention a 'data pad' and the other human.... looking woman answer, apparently understanding the words. "Pardon my intrusion to your conversation. But what is a data pad? I'm Zeran Vigga, a wizard from Golarian, one of those not-technologically advanced worlds if I'm understanding you. Although I would say that most of Golarian is pleasant.... at least by my standards."
Zeran notices Britta's blush and movement when he starts to explain his scanning. Is she concerned that he's violated her privacy? He hopes not, but.... "Well, I'm sure that you are right. It is your equipment. All I was using was a cantrip, the weakest of magics. It only shows the auras of magic and I have to examine them for details to give me an idea of what it does. The auras that I mentioned that are under your clothing, all I see is the aura as it penetrates your clothing. Kind of like a light covered by thin cloth. As for my interpretation.... I normally deal with empowered magical devices, like mine. Let me think." He smiles and removes his cloak. Holding it out he grins. "Try this on. Just for a simple test. I'm sorry that the colors will clash terribly...." Once she has it on he moves one of his rolls to a spot on the table by itself. "Now, the command word is in Draconic. Just say 'qogh' and imagine reaching out and picking the roll up with the magic of my cloak." Once she is able to use it Zeran grins. "I can cast that cantrip myself, but can only prepare a few available at any one time. That lets me use it when it isn't prepared." He considers her request about getting poison from Greenie.... "You can extract the poison without hurting her? I don't think she'd mind since I protect her, and feed her. As a familiar she's a little bit intelligent. Not enough to understand speech yet, but she does understand me, sometimes. It's weak poison though. Doesn't do much more than sting a little, unless the person is allergic." If Britta is interested Zeran will try. When the book is brought over and set on the table he rescues his roll and spreads some more jam on it. "I've seen bigger, but not by much. Kind of hard to carry when they get that big!"
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