"Interesting..." The Witness confers briefly with The Choreographer in their secret language.
Neither the Witness nor the Choreographer is familiar with any such heraldry. Assuming that their current theory of the relationship between Tower height and time holds true, it could be a crest, or partial crest, which came into use after their own time, or it might merely be a symbol adopted by that particular tavern?
Through the course of the meal, Gavin asks about the vendors of Redwatch, one by one, to see if any have picked up ill will, or a reputation.
Asking last about the Institute, he probes about the nature of the missions they task people with.
Diplomacy with display of charisma and honeyed tongue to get them chatting.
Sense motive to see if they are illusive or uneasy about any Redwatch residents.
Seth just spends the time asking about stories from their cultures and trading them for ones he picked up "In the solitude and separation, tales from our past sometimes can be our only company. But such company they can be."
Hero's Feast hit points (that I hope we won't need)
Gaius listens to the dragonelves' tales as he feasts, enraptured by both their own experiences and their recollections of his fathers'. More concrete information about Theldrassil the Returned was also welcome. Knowing that there was a way to return here, if not back to their respective homes, was curious. Knowing that he seemed to have some kind of mission upon his return was even moreso.
Gaius also files the name Morgan away alongside Joska. That made two people he knew of who had entered the Upper Tower and returned for some purpose that had shaped life in the Lower Tower for many others. What did this portend?
Ultimately, he is also not an especially pious man, but waiting for guidance from your god seems unsatisfying to him, especially when some gods were more forthcoming. Maybe even a waste of time. He is careful not to say anything that might offend the Daughters of Alvorex, though. Elves of all stripes were much longer-lived and could probably afford to be patient. They had different perspectives.
Instead, he makes an offer, as much a recommendation to his companions as anything else. "Although we have not determined a clear method to when or how passages open intentionally, I think it would behoove us to visit your portal, the green one with the dragon in silver. We were not too far from there yesterday. Most of the denizens that we have met have been hostile, but Maximus and I met at least one who was more forthcoming. I didn't know then to ask of a when, much less a where, but I think we may be able to to manage a roundabout way to acquire some useful information! Gavin and Seth here has quite the silvered tongues from what I've seen, and I'm no slouch myself. For that matter, there is all manner of magic that has been discovered that can be used to find information about your locale without even speaking to a soul."
Gaius looks at the Witness, almost certain that the wizard knows the spellwork he is speaking of. His mind continues to turn as he realizes he has been prattling on at length. "Regardless--should we find your Portal, is there any particular information that you seek?"
A bit like my father, I suppose, taking on any task. Mother never mentioned how impetuous and headstrong he was.
Gaius looks over at Maximus. Years sounded reasonable to him, but Gaius was almost certain that he would watch his fellow knight's jaw drop to the floor as soon as he processed that information, if he was even paying enough attention to the conversation between big mouthfuls of food. They're giving us hints on how to win, you big lug. So listen up.
Gaius also directs some questions to Thelaek and Kaeleth. "If I may be so bold: where are we currently in relation to the Tower? Have we passed to another plane of existence, or is this a part of the Tower itself?" Gaius knows that he could use some of his magic to answer the question himself, but on the one hand that was frequently an assault on his senses, and on the other people often had negative responses to spellcasting.
He has a follow-up question as well, depending upon their answer, with the incumbent 'here' referring either to the Tower, if they were indeed still within, or their current plane if they were outside. "How long have you resided here, and how did you arrive?"
The daughters of Alvorex have not, they explain to Gavin, interacted with the shopkeepers of Redwatch sufficiently to have formed meaningful opinions about most of them. They do, however, confess that Teague strikes them as unbearably pessimistic and the Zyanaya tribe makes them a bit uncomfortable because their views on right and wrong seem too similar to Delthynar's. They also notes that Archbanker Lombardi seems to be a steadying presence in Redwatch, which they appreciate. They seem earnest in all they say.
When invited to share some of their people's stories, the dragonelves smile and tell several tales about Alvorex before his slumber. They begin with the epic battle between him and his father, culminating with his burying of the elder dragon's remains to nourish the roots of the Great Ironwood. They tell another about a bear the size of a mountain whose mouth was like a pit of giant snakes that would hang down into every stream and pond it came to and suck them dry; it caused a drought all throughout the woods until Alvorex slew it, carried it high into the sky, and tore open its belly causing all the water to rain back into the forest. They conclude with the story of Alvorex placing Telmyr the Tarnished, the first high priest of Conclave, in charge of the council of noble houses and promising to one day return before he entered in to the Great Ironwood to slumber.
When Gaius begins to talk about using that portal, a hint of concern appears on the women's faces. "When we go," Delmyra answers, "we listen for any talk of Alvorex's awakening, or of any unusual happenings that could have been caused by his return. We won't ask the friends of Alvorex not to use it, but if you do please use discretion... if anyone discovered that people were coming out of the Tower to that bar it would make it impossible for us to maintain a low profile there."
The two outsiders appear oblivious to the conversation until the bard addresses them. They cease their examination of an orange-cranberry scone and turn to look at him before Kaeleth answers "we are in the Tower at the center of Cardriss," and Thelaek adds, "in an inner chamber within its spiraling stairs." When the bold knight asks about arrival and stay, Thelaek replies, "we do not count time as you do," and Kaeleth adds, "nor does time mean to us what it does to you."
Gavin assures the Daughters that it is likely they will explore the portal, but they will certainly be respectful of its value, and do their best to preserve it accordingly.
"You have been most helpful and forthcoming, and I am grateful that we have found one another. I have commissioned a point of contact for those in need of my help at the Temple. Please do not hesitate to use it to find me if ever you have the need."
"Fascinating," The Witness replies to the pair of outsiders. "Was it this alternate understanding of time which allowed you to bypass The Bookkeeper and enter The Tower?"
”We have not encountered the Bookkeeper,” Kaeleth informs Gavin before Thelaek chimes in with, “and we had no need to bypass it.”
Maximus continues eating during the whole conversation. As he chews on a delicious piece of mutton, I wonder if any of this has anything to do with us winning? I sure hope so.
The bard almost feels bad about his earlier negative thoughts on Alvorex. How much was true versus embellished mythology he wasn't certain, but they tell a good story. It seems like it would be poor form to share one of their own stories of combat now, as it might seem like an attempt to one-up or divert attention. So he reacts appropriately to the stories, asking up follow-up questions as an enthusiastic listener.
Gaius bows his head at the admonishing request.
"We will certainly be discreet and respectful. We would not wish to make your own quest more difficult in our zeal to meet our own ends."
Ultimately Gaius doesn't know what to make of the two outsiders. But the information is useful: the two are certainly aware of the Tower, if not the Bookkeeper, and the group haven't yet traveled to any other plane on this day. To be able to persist here without having gone through the various challenges...they must be quite powerful indeed.
He might have other questions at a future meeting, but Gaius is also satisfied for the moment. He passes the remainder of the meal with lighter conversational fare.
While Seth finds this all interesting, his and his sister's objective is getting up the tower, not out of the tower. Still information is information, though he is pretty sure he missed some of it while chatting with the Daughters.
Gavin's table is fading by the time the stories and answers have run their course and the two outsiders stand without a word and return to their original positions. The dragonelves rise as well, smiling for the first time since meeting their new human allies. "Thank you, friends of Alvorex," Felazi says with a shallow bow, "we greatly enjoyed your extravagant food and your conversation."
"Yes, thank you," Tryxia agrees, "we are honored to become friends with those who have done such service for our people, and hope that you will count us among your friends in the Tower."
As they take their leave, "Okay, gang, where to now?" he asks with anticipation.
Gaius bows deeply to their new friends, agreeing with the mutual admiration (at least by proxy for his own part).
Once they are gathered outside by themselves, Gaius offers his own thoughts about the next destination. "The Research Institute seems promising. If my father took jobs with them, then I imagine visiting with them could give us good opportunities for progressing through with what the Tower's guardians expect of us."
The Witness establishes an inter-cerebral network with the party.
++I suggest we sell the minotaurs' equipment, and the bulk of the gems, horacalcum, and living steel. I require funds to advance my study of The Tower.
++The Research Institute has previously offered Gavin, the twins, and I employment, but under terms I didn't find agreeable. That said, we may have the opportunity to complete the task they asked - the acquisition of information - at which point we may be able to negotiate more favorable terms. It may also be they have new opportunities for employment. I have some reservations about working for them in general, but not enough to rule it out completely.
++Gaius and Maximus: We have previously met three orc brothers who maintain a stronghold on the two floors directly above Thelaek and Kaeleth. They are secretive and likely very dangerous. They've offered me the opportunity to study an artifact in their possession in exchange for sharing everything I learn about it. It is in fact this information the Research Institute requested we acquire and provide to them. While it's extremely unlikely the brothers would appreciate the information being shared with anyone else, acquiring the information at least gives us the option of completing the Institute's request if they can offer enough in compensation to offset the brothers' enmity.
++Studying their artifact is also almost certain to expand my understanding of them and their capabilities, which I believe would be very valuable.
++If there are no objections, I'll contact the brother Kellik and arrange a meeting.++
I need 1,500gp to commission the material focus for my newly acquired contingency spell. I would also like to begin researching spells, which costs gold.
Gavin agrees to the selling of the acquired equipment and contacting Kellik, assisting where he can with both.
Not really big on talking with his mind, "Fine with me, buddy," he simply responds.
"I don't like the idea of selling someone else's secrets." Seth says with a light frown, knowing they all had secrets to one degree or another. "But ultimately it will be you discovering them, Witness, so it is your choice." he nods to contacting them though.
++Excellent.
++Maximus, Gaius, Crow and Pigeon - you've all expressed your desire to ascend past The Gatekeeper and its portal, a goal I share, though perhaps not with your urgency. It occurs to me that I haven't explained much of what I've deduced regarding the nature of The Tower. I'd like to do so now, in the hope it convinces you our time spent in exploration and study hasn't been wasted.
++I have several other theories, many contradictory, which I've yet to acquire enough data to satisfactorily prove or disprove. Once I've reached more productive conclusions I'm confident in, I'll share them.
++I also welcome any observations or conclusions you believe I may have missed!++
Gaius agrees with the general plan. Examining an artifact sounds promising, whether they do pass on their knowledge to the Research Institute or not.
++I don't suppose one of the orcs goes by the Flame of Kundir? We entered the Tower on the same day, but I never met the man. I don't believe he was entering with his brothers, either.++
Gaius is entranced by the Witness' theories, and at least wants to test the temporal theory a bit more. The end of time is a troubling concept to wrap his mind around, though. A cataclysm? What happened in the future?
The Witness' theories also answer some questions Gaius has about why so little is known about the Tower, even in the future. How dedicated are they in their ends, and how dangerous are their means, he wonders.
++I will think back on some of my encounters in light of your theories, Witness. If I have anything to offer, I certainly will++
Calling upon his reserve of power, The Witness casts a spell with no obvious effect.
++Indeed, Gaius, one of the orcs is The Flame of Kundir. Two of his brothers entered The Tower a tran ago, and the three have reunited. I've sent them a message requesting details of time and place. I may wish someone to accompany me - Pigeon or Maximus - as a disincentive to possible hostilities upon completion of my studies.
++Let's return to the Redwatch markets and begin selling our goods. I also need to inquire about purchasing ivory.++
++How curious! I had heard rumors that he was seeking his brother, or brothers, but this confirms it. He was a powerful military leader in his nation in our time, leading wars against nearby dwarven kingdoms. Tensions were high between them and a dwarven faction serving Angradd before we all entered the Tower.++
++Good information. I was unsure when in Kundir's history he originated from. In our time his nation is no more, destroyed by the surrounding dwarven nations.++
The dragonelves use their magic to return their new allies to the staircase and walk with them back down to Redwatch. As they draw near, they pull their robes closed once again.
Kundir, destroyed? Gaius knew little of the nation, but the revelation was still surprising. Nations rose and fell, for sure, but...did the Flame know this truth yet? And how would that affect his motivations?
When discussions turn more towards the markets, Gaius offers his additional thoughts on their attempts towards selling.
++I find I have fewer needs for gold at present, but it still seems a shame to sell the items that we recovered from the fallen minotaurs for scrap. If the Armorers can magically resize the armor and weapons, then we would essentially be getting half of their traditional worth. Trying to sell it in its current state, looking for a truly large buyer...I don't know how feasible that is. How many large-sized Seekers come to the Tower? Perhaps a permanently enlarged fighter, but how feasible is this? But if what we desire is the most gold and don't mind the wait, then that would be our best option. Of course, at that point, we may have to wait years for a return on the investment. I favor the second option myself.++
++I believe the mercantile exchange may regularly take goods out of the Tower by means of portals they are in control of. The finding of large buyers may not take as long as you think.++ That said, any of the options is fine with Gavin, tea only costs so much.
Maximus still weirded out by all the mental talking, keeps to real conversation. "I say we get top coin for it. I'm in no need of coin any time soon so it's all good to me. I think Gavin has a good point about the mercantile procuring these buyers by means of portals. I mean, makes sense to me," he finishes, shrugging.
"If they can sell using portals outside the tower, why the issues with food? Couldn't they buy those through portals?" Seth had listened to all of the Witness's theories, and had worry about people going up and then deciding to come back down. When he is thinking about that topic, he suggests "Maybe the price of ascending was too high for them, so they accepted life here."
++The sale of gems and metals should generate enough funds for my current needs. Remanding the minotaurs' equipment to the Exchange for more equitable and less timely sale is acceptable to me as well.
As for a trade in food - any number of issues might prevent it from being profitable, but I postulate it's mainly a lack of demand. Most of the residents of Redwatch don't appear to actually produce any new resources, only provide services. Why spend those limited resources on something freely available from resident philanthropists?++
The Witness gives a slight tilt of his head at The Crow's suggestion regarding those who have returned from the upper Tower. ++Perhaps. Regardless, they're currently the only residents we can be confident know how to complete further attunement - which means unless our own studies prove fruitful we'll need to procure the information from them.++
The explorers make their way down the stairs back to Redwatch. Inside, they head downwards again, to the marketplace. It doesn't take long for them to end up at the Mercantile Exchange, where they are greeted by a lovely, older Vitolian woman whom Gavin recognizes as the woman who was receiving the unusual needle treatment at the House of Healing on their first visit. She identifies herself as Giovanna Lombardi, wife of the Archbanker and mother of Maria. With her help, they quickly sell off all the precious metals and gems and she fills out a ledger to record the inventory of giant sized arms and armor.
Once their business is complete, the explorers split up with Lyra and the Witness heading to the Temple while Gavin, Gaius, and Maximus start the walk back up to the Research Institute.
The half-orc reaches into the desk drawer and pulls out what looks like a little metal statue with the upper-half of a humanoid and a metal sphere instead of legs. He says "Joska," to it then sets it on the ground where it promptly wheels off out of sight. A few moments pass quietly and then a frizzy-haired Atlaean woman with ink-stained hands strides in from the hallway following the tiny construct. "Oh, I'm so glad you came," she greets you, "I take it this means you're still interested in opportunities for employment apart from joining the institute? I have some side research I'm doing personally and I could use some assistance with gathering certain items necessary for my work. Is that something that you might be interested in doing? I would be your employer, not the institute, and neither of us would have any claim on each other's loyalty after the job is completed."
"Thank you for your message, My Lady. We are indeed interested, and this task seems fit my companions desire to avoid permanent ties. Please, tell us more" Gavin replies.
++Your terms are acceptable, though I request a small addendum: My associate and I be allowed to make a brief stop at our own temporary residence before we depart. Also, a query: Are there any potential hazards at our destination you're aware of?++
When asked about hazards he replies, ++only my brothers, and me, should you betray us.++
++Very well; one empty room's much the same as another. I simply require a minute to cast a precautionary spell on the residential level before we leave, preferably near the near the top of the stairs.++
"That seems like a task within our capabilities. We are indeed interested. Can you tell us what remuneration you are offering?"
Gavin asks.
The blonde swordswoman is leery, to say the least at the obvious threats the conditions are putting on them ++I agree as well.++ though she wants to demand to know what would happen if they learned something just by accident, or if a rogue wind blew their precious fog away, or ANYTHING... but that would just make them suspicious. Well more suspicious and it is hard to imagine them being more suspicious.
She also avoids casting defensive magic on herself. Instead she smiles sweetly as she can manage and tries to look comfortable with all this.
Listening in, Maximus finds the task quite interesting. Different species of gryffons? Well that sounds fairly interesting. I wonder if we have to kill 'em, though? Hopefully not. Those type of birds aren't typically 'kill everything in sight' type birds. They're mostly peaceful I believe.
He feels a brief stab of embarassment for assuming that Joska would be a male, but he quickly glosses over his mental error as the woman introduces herself. He returns the greeting in kind, remembering that she claimed to know of his father.
Then again, the initial reticence to provide any information about the contract if off-putting. But the delay doesn't last log, and the work sounds interesting. Gryffons?
Although Gavin does most of the talking, Gaius eventually chimes in. "What sorts of samples were you looking for? Beaks, tails, talons, teeth, feathers, eggs, or..."
Gaius lets the other options stand unmentioned. That should be descriptive enough for now.
He hopes that the combination of his name and otherwise minimal questions will help him to help Gavin make a good impression. If he needs it...
The orcs glare at the Witness with clear displeasure when he begins casting a spell but neither makes a move to stop him. As the time of casting stretches on, Krynn's displeasure increases and halfway through he casts a spell of his own. His spell has no obvious physical effect and he continues to stare at the Witness until the wizard has finished his work.
Once everyone has moved into one of the empty temporary dwellings, Krynn casts teleport and then growls softly when the spell fizzles out. He tries a second time and the room vanishes. An instant later, you're both standing in a bank of heavy fog next to a pillar of flame. The pillar has burned away a small hole in the fog, allowing you to see each other and Kellik (the Witness alone can see Krynn in the fog behind him), as well as the pillar itself and the white stone floor and ceiling you'd expect to see inside the Tower. The pillar isn't quite hot enough to burn your flesh just by standing at this range, but it is certainly uncomfortable to do so.
"As for remuneration, I could put together some coin if you wish, or agree upon a trade of my spell casting services, but knowledge is our currency here and my preferred method of payment. If you're open to that, my offer is a lesson on how the portals out of the Tower function, and the location of a particularly useful portal over which nobody is currently trying to maintain control. And, in order to aid your work for me, I would pay this knowledge to you in advance, along with more information on where to find the gryffons. Does that knowledge interest you?"
"Those terms are indeed agreeable. I do not believe I would be out of turn to accept this offer on behalf of the five of us. What is your preferred time table for this task?" Gavin replies.
Despite his time here, it seems Kellik's brother suffers from the same resistance to planar magics as we do.
Once translocated, The Witness provides a brief narration to everyone in their intercerebral network.
++I'm going to draw a metamagic rod and cast a series of divination spells to better study this pillar of flame which, Kellik, I assume is the object of your interest.++
++Please remain within thirty feet of me, preferably within the space cleared of fog by this flame. If anything intends to accost us, I'll attempt to translocate us back to the residential level of Redwatch.++
In either case, some of those samples could be more easily found without unnecessary combat, but if that was not possible, then he was sure that they would manage.
"If our payment is information on how and where to seek our quarries more effectively, then a sample per week sounds quite reasonable. I look forward to a productive relationship."
Like my father before me, I hope.
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The task proves impossible though and eventually you are forced to come to terms with the perplexing conclusion that the pillar is not magical. It is not conjured or created, nor transmuted from some other energy; it is a stable gout of completely mundane flame. It may be the first thing you’ve encountered in the Tower that doesn’t even have a lingering aura about it.
Not one to be dissuaded by the perplexing, you turn your attention back to the Tower’s auras. After some study, you note an unusual disruption in the circulation of magical energies through the area where the fire burns, almost as if there were an imperceptible barrier blocking its flow. Coupling this revelation with the behavior of the fire, the most likely explanation you can posit is that there is a hairline fracture in the fabric of your current plane through which raw elemental fire is seeping. You couldn't pass through the rupture in its current state, even if you were in gaseous form, and widening it could have disastrous consequences, but it might be possible to scry or teleport through it.
While pondering this theory, you realize that you're dripping with sweat and your skin feels like you've been under the midday sun for hours.
"I was hoping though, Gaius, that I might be able to interest you in an additional deal. If you're willing to recount for me the details of any interactions you might have with the gryffons, or significant information about the habitat in which you find them or their samples, I would pay you for each account with a story about your father. I've heard that you've been asking around Redwatch about him?"