A call to attention from the Deep Lodge


Grand Lodge

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Sczarni

"Grimoir and I will abstain. His food is of a different nature, and I no longer eat." Telessar opens a sack at his side and his shadow seeps into the opening. The ghostly Aldori blade passes between them, ending up sheathed behind the elf's back. Telessar then moves to the edge of the table and vanishes into the shadow beneath it.

"I must say this is the finest cave I have dwelled within. Also the first one. It does not seem unpleasant. Yet it also feels wrong in a sense. One sudden movement of the ground and our deaths would be certain. I may come to enjoy this."

Sovereign Court

"Yeah Hi Mr. ... "(pop out goes the first half) "Well so any bets on when they will return for pickup? I must say my creditors will not have an easy time finding me... I may even have to pay up in case they are that resourceful." Righty takes out a pair of dice, "small game of chance to pass the time?" (Pop Val's back) (Pop the cave phases into view.)

"Oh my Crowns. How oh ewww is that. What is ... cats ... growing mushrooms...oh my well yes if the collectors show up, I may have to pay up indeed." Righty takes a long drink from a silver flask with a Taldan gold embossed crown emblem. "You have a unique sense of decor. The decorator certainly is not afraid to take risks. Fearless."

Righty begins to choose some of the less challenging food via mage hand. His mastery of the spell is impressive.

Grand Lodge

Ven looks over the spread with delight until he comes across the giant bat. He pauses for a second and then says a prayer over it.

"This is an impressive first meal you have presented us with. Too many more like this and I'll have to get bigger armor."

Grabbing a plate and helping himself to some of the more exotic cuisine, Ven finds a spot to sit far from the bat and facing away from it.

Liberty's Edge

Are ye all evil yet down there?

The Exchange

As his companions mill about the dining hall, Val Morik shuffles his way over to Righty.

"My apologies for the rush and rude earlier, brother. Time was of the essence! I am Val Morik, Venture-Captain of The Deep Lodge, and architect of this expedition. I am pleased to see a last minute addition."

At mention of the decor, the fiend's barbed grin expands into a light chuckle.

"Ha haha. Well, the first concern here was security protocols. Solid stone walls. One entrance. The majority of the Lodge barred from dimensional travel, and the only room not so looked after by The Archdruid's grove. I would say that Hrogarth is exceptionally eccentric, but in reality, I believe you will come to find that many of us are. This lifestyle is simply not for the perfectly adjusted. As for this..."

He trails off as his arms sweep wide to indicate the room around him.

"Well, lets just say that this is personal reminder of what led myself, Chazz, and Hrogarth to this point. We've been together since our Confirmation, and sometimes we forget that we started humbly too. This room keeps me centered when my ego threatens to carry me off from time to time.

He smiles broadly.

"That sounded good, right? Well, maybe it's also in part because I just like to talk, and all these old pieces of our history make a fine conversation point."

He pats Righty on the back firmly before walking off to speak with his other guests. Through his bluster and demeanor, it is not difficult to tell that he is genuinely sentimental about his companions and these pieces of their history together. Strolling casually over to Ven, he clearly notes the man's distress.

"Everything ok, Ven? You seem a little bit...disturbed maybe? You're welcome for the meal, my friend. And worry not - I don't suspect we'll be eating quite so well once we set out on the expedition. I have a sneaking suspicion many of us will come to hate trail rations."

At mention from Telessar that the elf no longer eats, Val Morik's look of shock and terror is impossible to conceal.

"No longer eat!? By Chaldira's bosom man, why not!? Good food...good company. A woman's touch, and the glory of battle and success. Improving one's self, and learning one's limits. Learning new knowledge, and re-discovering knowledge long forgotten. Adventure, and journeys into the unknown. These are the things that make life worth living. I suppose I am just surprised to learn that you have voluntarily surrendered one!"

Sczarni

I am a member of Absolom's mortality guild. Though in truth it is headed by a Taldan, there is no downplay of the Szarni membership.

The members often talk regarding the work and methods available. In my travels their guidance has been useful. For ones such as us simple cut throats are not the preferred way. Indeed even hired mages are far more expensive and less reliable than a simple final last meal. I however would not resort to these methods, when I send gifts to Pharasma they must be personal.

I am sure you mean well, and my esteemed cousin of Kyonin would not turn down a meal. My three hours of eating time are spent in preparation and observation while merged to the shadows. If we are to be attacked here, I will be ready.

Sovereign Court

It has been years since Violetta was teleported to a location by another - she is usually the one transporting a group of trusting adventurers to some remote locale - but she enjoys the small thrill of being now here, then there.

Her hour's preparations were brief enough. Her own ability to return to one of her homes on a whim have made her complacent about long-term planning, save in such cases as planar or interplanetary travel. She had already done her standard morning preparation - castings of mind blank and extended greater false life - and was always running a contingency of some sort. While not really concerned about the possibility of ambush, she decides on castings of see invisibility and heroism just prior to teleportation.

(She briefly considers spending the better part of the hour binding a servitor bodyguard - maybe an astral deva or a rakshasa tataka - but experience has taught her that most Pathfinders are sensitive about bindings, especially of angels. Not yet having a read on the "culture" of this new Lodge, it can wait.)

After teleporting to the Lodge, Violetta applies her own arcane mark to one wall, the easier to "find" for future teleportation, and follows the others on the "tour". She is discomfited by the dimensional anchor effect of the hallowed space - Violetta dislikes any hindrance to her ability to escape - but concedes the tactical necessity of such a spell. She resolves to adjust her contingency later to accommodate.

Violetta enjoys the food, and tries some of the less familiar fare. "I often find that when a chef first encounters new ingredients, his first instinct is to bend those ingredients to a direction of familiar flavors - aromatic rubs, lemon, certain herbs on otherwise alien meats, for example." Violetta spears a mushroom on her dagger, lifting it as though to examine it. "If you're here for the long haul, and if you really want to understand the beings which dwell here, it will be worth training our palates for truly alien flavors. That purple fruit, for example, rather than lemons, to drizzle over these... fish." Violetta pops the mushroom into her mouth, chewing approvingly. "Perhaps I'll dominate a drow chef to add to the cook staff?"

(Violetta is famous enough that some may be aware of her infamous poisoned dinner parties, in which guests are treated to exquisite dinners in which each dish is a deadly poison. Guests are encouraged to protect themselves magically, but there's always that ONE "tough guy". In any case, she's culinarily adventurous.)

Violetta addresses Telessar - "Over the years, I've been tempted to relieve myself of the need to eat, or to sleep, but I'm too much a sensualist; I love flavors, I love textures, and I love dreams." Violetta pauses a moment, as if considering something; she frowns slightly."I don't think I'm familiar with Absalom's mortality guild. Mortality?... it doesn't sound like a terribly appealing guild, to be honest."

Pushing her plate away, Violetta looks at Val. "So, when do we meet this druid? Hrogarth?"

Sovereign Court

My colleague uses an alternative term for the common name assassin's guild. I also have a membership, but merely for fashion's sake. I found an amazing leather coat and it just shouted death dealer. It also let me in on a special deal for a pair of drakeskin boots...anyway.

My kin's fascination with his theory of immortality is a scandal in Kyonin. Pray sir, did you actually disembowel Remethion's brother in a duel regarding lifespan? It was rumored you kept whispering something to him as he ruined the carpets in the sage tower...pray what was it?

Sczarni

"I was simply invited to explore the world and report my findings. I doubt they expected my return with a group of pathfinders. I may have risked their lives unnecessarily as we were dispatched to the tanglebriar upon arrival. I will not return again."

"Yes, a weasel insulted my theory that no one is immortal - liches, vampires, sun orchid users, and by my count at least 2 divine beings have gone to the grave. His view was that elves in comparison to shorter lived races were nearly immortal. I challenged him on the suject and disarmed him literally. As the light began to die in his eyes I whispered, say hello to the lady Pharasma for me."

"I am less interested in history. The sorceress is much more charming than old stories of dead weasels."

Telessar conjures and then directs an unseen servant to sample items which Violetta has already tried.

Sovereign Court

"Ah, assassin's guild, of course. I used to travel quite often with an assassin companion, and in fact thought she was several assassins until I got to know her quite well, and learned she was all the same woman. Master of disguises and so on. She assassinated a flying behir once, in an arena on Akiton - tense moment, that - but it was a feat to behold. Last I heard, she'd joined the resistance in Galt."

Violetta gestures with her wine goblet, simply assuming someone will fill it.

"I've only ever employed the services of a third party to effect a rival's end on one occasion. He'd shot me with an arrow - there was a big ambush, and he'd gotten inside my wind wall - but managed to slip away when we turned the tables... I had something pressing - I think I was attending to someone in danger - so I didn't even realize it until after the fact. I have this sort of policy that I never allow any harm to my person to go unpunished, so it bothered me quite a bit.

I was on a mission, and there was no way I could just drop everything, but I had the arrow, and it was enough for me to magically discern his identity. A few days later, I had time to pursue the matter, so I planar bound a soul eater, an incorporeal spirit from Abaddon. The soul eater, given a name and the vision of a target, finds it unerringly, unless it is protected by powerful magic such as a mind blank, and when it does find it, eats its soul, bite by bite, from it's very body. No recovery, no possibility of resurrection, nothing.

It was probably overkill, but he paid for that arrow.

Abaddon, I suppose, is my "assassin's guild".

Violetta smiles gently, looking around at her listeners, perhaps gauging their reactions.

"As for immortality? I'd say your sword was true - no such thing exists. "Forever" may exist, but until countless ages have passed, even that is suspect, but if it does exist, the only thing that might last forever is oblivion. Once one has passed from the world, one's works and legends slowly follow, and that final absence of any trace can last very long indeed; forever, let's say.

I might ask my archer if he agrees, since he's on that path, but there is no soul to conjure, no echo of memory to hear... and I've already forgotten his - his? - name."

Sovereign Court

Righty withdraws a dusty bottle from his pack. He hands it off to an invisible servant to refill Violetta's goblet.

"Fey wine, always a favorite of mine."

Several of us have been struck mute by our enchantress. Perhaps Shielantha, the great Pontificator, or Kyros have dinner stories to tell.

The talk of abbaddon seems to disturb the gold clad elf.

Grand Lodge

Ven looks up from his plate and after finishing chewing says:

"Val, don't get me wrong. The food is great and the variety is fantastic. It just happens that my totem animal is a bat and so I would rather not eat 'it'."

Licking his lips and cleaning around his mouth, Ven continues:

"I understand it is food and probably as delicious as everything I grabbed so I don't have any problem with anybody else eating it. I just don't want to see them eating it. That's all."

Ven then goes back to enjoying the food on his plate as he takes to heart Val Morik's words that there won't be feasts like this anytime in the near future.

Grand Lodge

Kyros breathes a deep, theatrical sigh. "I guess we all must soldier on then! Live for today, as some of the hedonists I've met would say."

Sczarni

Ohh wine, me me me me meeeeeee...

As the 3 foot menace jumps at Righty's feet like a spoiled puppy

Sovereign Court

You get your own bottle, unless you would prefer rum. I have a wide selection.

Sovereign Court

Righty smiles and hands the hopping gnome his own bottle of fey wine. "With the emperor's compliments." I find a few kind words and a bottle tend to soften even the hardest of hearts.

Sovereign Court

"Err... a long, dangerous mission? I like nice cozy, underground caves, but I was thinking more along the lines of a short visit. Preferably after you've taken care of the nasty stuff and made it safe."

"But I'd be happy to help you prepare before you teleport down there. Anyone need Mage Armor or Protection from Evil cast on them? And I'll cast Haste on all of you right at the last second, so you can run away if something nasty jumps you when you arrive. Or just kill it quicker, if you're good at that sort of thing. I'm more the running away type."

"But once you've cleaned things up down there, and set up the new underground lodge, I definitely want to come and visit. I could throw you a house warming party when you're settled in!"

The Exchange

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Val Morik keeps this journal in his room. As he is rarely in attendance to said room with so many guests preparing to set out, it would not be an overly difficult prospect for the curious or nosy to eves drop his personal thoughts.

Erastus 16th, 4714 Slightly backdated as I got busy before being able to complete this entry from the time I began writing it!

I am pleased to record that The Deep Lodge's roster of Pathfinder agents has expanded since my last entry. Our new agents and my initial impressions of them are thus:

Pathfinder Agents

Telessar. "Telessar is quite interesting. This elf is composed of a severity and sullen nature I rarely witness from his people. A fellow accomplished kensai, he is incredibly proficient with his sword. He seems obsessed with death and mortality, but not in a manner I consider to be immediately threatening. He possesses an affinity for shadows I have only ever witnessed once before, when I faced Woaltog in the Sanctum of The Ten. Like Woaltog, Telessar too fades into darkness with gifted ease, and is served by a living shadow. Perhaps when our camaraderie has grown, I will seek to pry his secrets from him. Until then, he will serve our expedition well as a primary scout."

Violetta. "If I could have made but one wish, it would have been to add a proper archmage to the ranks of our venture. Violetta granted me that wish. The human (perhaps more than human?) explained to me her specialization lay in the realm of enchantment magics, planar bindings, and simulacrums. Such magic, especially performed at her high level of proficiency, are sure to make our journey noticeably safer and easier. Unfortunately, like many wishes, I am concerned she may come with. . ."extras". Her force of personality is subtle, but staggering. I can plainly see that she is one whom is used to getting things done her way. I would not wish to see what might happen if the capricious side of an embarrassed or indignant archmage were to be aroused. I shall endeavor to heed her counsel and keep her placated as best I can once we've set off."

Ven. "Not that I lack faith in my fellow agents, far from it in fact, as I too am given to my own "particulars". . .but it is assuring to have another rational and level-headed companion among us. The man immediately strikes me as dependable and resilient. Ven is a valuable resource for this expedition, given his subterranean affinity and ranged combat specialization. The shoanti appears even more at home down here than I, which bids good omen. It appears he reveres a bat totem, which I feel I may have offended him over by attempting to serve him representation of his deity smothered in delicious mushroom gravy. . .but he seems to have taken my fluke in stride. I am resolved to endeavor to compensate him for my misstep by seeking to develop a deeper understanding of his spiritualism."

I believe that our company is now more than appropriately composed for our first expedition to find the ruins of Sverenagati. In preparation, Hrogarth has already performed a test casting of find the path with a destination of the ruins, and assures me the spell was a success and he will be able to guide us. With Telessar and Ven at point a few hundred yards ahead of our main party, my hope is that we will be able to avoid the casual dangers of Sekamina. If not? Well, this group appears prepared to handle the dangers of The Darklands, and resolved to see the expedition through. Tonight, I will transport our agents from Absalom to The Deep Lodge, where Marlow will have a glorious feast prepared for us. We will take the night to meet, eat, and enjoy one another's company. . .for in the morning, the journey to the ruins of Sverenagati awaits!

Sczarni

Ven permit me to light Grimoir's sword. My ability to blend in shadows needs a shadow. I've noticed his presence may limit trivial threats. I am not familiar with your background. Do you employ ranged or personal weapons?

I tend to only fight when necessary. Should we detect a group of enemies I am more apt to live and let live. Please let me know your thoughts on the dark's denizens. It is truly my blindspot.

Sczarni

Mister Garblenarf, I am assaulted at your lack of courage. Us gnomes gots to be the first ones down so we can experience all the greatness first! Those talls will hog all the cool stuffs if we let'em go first!

Plus yer like the only one I could trust me the bad things happen. You expect these talls to duck when things come flying at their heads?

Come on I will protected you. As he holds out his tiny blackened shrivled hand.

Sovereign Court

"I'm not scared! Just not able to go on a long journey underground right now. I am a baron, you know, with responsibilities to my Barony in Taldor besides just the Society!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

Spoiler:
OOC: He's a total coward.

Sczarni

Meh, how often have you seen your Tar-bore balony? I bet alot.

Get some dumdum to sign your name and come on with us. I got magics that can protect us like my jelly-ax force bubble. Plus any bad guy with eyes with 15 feet can taste both of our colorsprays!

Sovereign Court

Violetta, smiling gently, leans down to the the little gnome, Yzarktistab - she seems impossibly tall and slender, and with her azure skin and silver hair, beautifully alien, like an elegant, lovely spider.

Gently, she puts her index finger under Yzarktistab's chin, lifting his gaze to her eyes - her fingers are cool and silky, luxurious - and he sees that the blue of her eyes is sky, and there are clouds there, and the hint of sunshine, the cobalt of dawn or dusk. He realizes it is the sky of his home, and it's strangely calming. Her voice, somehow, is at once penetrating and a whisper.

"My little kindred one, fear is nothing to be ashamed of - for your ancient people, the thrill of it has long warded them from the bleaching. That fate, and that alone, should instill terror. Your fears? savor and face them. Little is more pleasurable than the sense of release after escaping certain death."

She crouches down on bare feet and long, slender legs, regarding the gnome - nearly - at equal stature.

"I have known fear... no, terror. The absolute certainty that This Was It, that all my precautions and powers had failed me, and I would be ground to bloody meal. That was before I had this - Violetta holds up a perfectly manicured, blue hand, revealing a simple platinum ring, bound round with a spiral strip of leather - my great weakness, and my great fear, was being held down, unable to call upon my powers. Like you, I am not physically powerful, and so I could never depend on brawn."

Violetta reflects a moment, searching Yzarktistab's eyes.

"I could, if you want... go in to your mind, and... suppress all your fears. I do this, at times, for those who may feel nervous in my presence, as some, admittedly, do. It would be, a bit, as though you're in a dream - you, but not you. Some find it, in retrospect, relaxing. But it is not for everyone."

Violetta's smile sweetens.

"I only serve, Yzarktistab - she pronounces the name lightly, in Sylvan dialect - it is ever your choice."

Sczarni

Wooooowwww, your eyes got all funny and stuff.
suddenly excited about the obvious magical experience he begins to rattle off in gnome excitement

fast pace gnome rant:

Me next, me next get rid of my fears. Fear is the mind killerest. How do you lose your power and why is it in your ring. I have a ring that helps me do magic, it is my ring of blinkity blink-blink. Why is your hand blue? did you turn it blue to get more magics like I did to my blackened arms? How did you get your powers back? I once went in this yellow mist that made me scared and hurted me when I was time travelling. Can you make it never do that to me again? Why are you so pretty? Who cares about phyical power we got magics that can stop that film flaming metal wears dead in their tracks. You should get some gnome boots to magic you away if people hold you downn, cause us gnomes are clever and know how to avoid that stuffs.

Silver Crusade

Sheliantha watches the discussions and preparations with interest. She sees the senior sorceress and how she interacts with the smaller folk, and her face gives a look of contemplation and calculation, as if learning at a rapid pace.

She cleans her plate with a wave of her hand, and puts it to the side. From behind her shoulder comes a winged woman, much smaller than the gnomes who speaks softly with the musical accompaniment much like chimes.

"Shel, look. You always seem to want to restrict how much you affect your allies, your friends with your magicks. But, you can do things to help! I know you keep working on how to destroy the vile beings, and that's a good thing, but you can go deep into your own side, and make them great!"

The varisian woman with her own blue-in-blue eyes sighs a little, and shrugs. "I have a long, long way to go to do that kind of thing, Cuore. I think I'll move slowly. Last thing I want to do is accidentally overstep, and start limiting friends, or removing their own will and freedom. If there's anything I'm afraid of, I think that's it."

She rises, flowing up to her feet, and moves smoothly over to talk to some of the group, trying to get a feel for them. Some of the elves might seem a little out of her ordinary, long-lived as they are. Cuorecielo, the azata, flits around, looking over things, but maintaining her locus centered on the tattooed sorceress.

The Exchange

A smirk, followed by an overly dramatic shrug of his shoulders with his hands raised palms up, the tiefling replies to Violetta's question about Hrogarth.

"I'm not entirely sure what he is doing right now. With dinner almost over, it looks like he'll be skipping. You'll see him for the debriefing at least, which I'll get into here shortly once everyone's food settles. If you'd like to go disturb him beforehand, however, be my guest!" His face takes on a twisted smile at the thought of you potentially bothering his friend.

Placing a reassuring hand on Ven's shoulders, Val offers him an apology for his bat faux pas.

"Errr. . .yeah man, sorry about that. If I had known I would have had Marlow substitute with something else. It looks like most everyone is done with that particular dish, so how about I just take the remainder back to the kitchen for you?

As he collects the remains of the savory bat dish, Val Morik overhears Yzarctihstab's resistance to the idea of being part of the expedition, and Pontificor and Violetta addressing him over it. He strolls by en route to the kitchen

"Alright now you two, Yzarctihstab has made his decision. I can appreciate you trying to help him out, but lets not pressure him into it. We're Pathfinders, not Cheliax slavers. If you don't want to set out with us in the morning Yzarctihstab, you will either need to be prepared to return to Absalom this evening, or be prepared to wait several weeks to a few months until we return from our expedition. Unless you can transport yourself that is, in which case in encourage you to remain for as long as you like.

Sovereign Court

We are all afraid Yzarctihstab, bravery is being afraid and walking through the doors of hell anyway. We Taldan nobles should stick together. Come along and prove Stavian's confidence in you was not unfounded.

Grand Lodge

"I've been to hell, actually. It's not a very pleasant place."

Sovereign Court

"I've just received a message from Ambrus Valsin, calling me in for a Society mission near Absalom. Something about a place called Bonekeep..."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Spoiler:
This time he's NOT bluffing. I'll be playing Bonekeep, part 1 in a week, and I'm not sure which character I'll be bringing, but Yzarctihstab is a definite possibility, depending on party makeup. He's a great "hide in the back and cast" type if we've got enough direct damage dealers, and he's my only level 7, which is the highest level for the adventure. And with 16 constitution, he's not as squishy as you'd expect for a sorcerer.

Grand Lodge

Ven finishes up his plate and clears his throat.

"Telessar, to answer your question, I am mostly proficient with a bow and try to avoid combat if it is unnecessary."

The Shoanti bowman then looks over at the two gnomish companions.

"Yzarktistab and Pontificor, don't be frightened. Heck, last time I was underground I had my soul sucked out of my body, but I got it back a couple of seconds later. As long as we stick relatively close together we should be okay down here."

Ven turns to Val Morik and nods his head in thanks before cleaning up his plate and mug.

Sczarni

Who said I was frighteneded?

I am excited for this. I will get to see a bunches of newerest things.

How did you get your soul taken out? Once it was out what did it look like? Did I ever tell you I once ate a pros-ti-tutes soul in a cookie?

Sczarni

Yzarchtihstab, I have a single available Teleport. I can drop you off in the Temple of Pharasma in Absolom then return here in the morning. In that manner Val Morik's spell list can be attuned towards the trip. I will prepare a 2nd Teleport for evacuation purposes. This produces the smallest risk to the venture and deposits you for your next meeting with Ambrus. I will only be down a Telekinesis spell for a single day. A minor inconvenience compared with the alternative.

Grand Lodge

"You know what just occurred to me? We honestly don't know all that much about Val." Kyros turns to the tiefling. "What's your story, then?"

Silver Crusade

Sheliantha looks briefly to Kyros, and then with a nod, takes a seat looking to Val. Her expression one of a storyteller looking to hear a new story with great anticipation.

"Ooooh! A story!" Cuorecielo flits over by the host and then back to Sheliantha and sits on the sorceress' shoulder, almost slavering at the thought of a new tale.

Grand Lodge

Ven looks over at Pontificor.

"My soul got swallowed by a demon. It looked sort of weird, like a shadowy version of myself being ripped out of me. Having my soul removed definitely hurt, but I can't blame the demon for doing it..."

A rare smile comes over Ven's face.

"...I did kill his buddy, another demon, as soon as we entered the room."

Sovereign Court

Righty pales, "I had a friend eaten in a similar manner by some strange Lissalan. Two people sent off to other planes to die, one eaten while I watched. I paid the beast with my rapier through its heart...Damn Venture Monkeys grinding my friends to meal. Then the devils came for me."

His shaking hand stills after a long draught of his flask.

Grand Lodge

"I only ever saw one man die." Kyros shakes his head. "It was bad. I honestly don't know how you managed to pull through. It felt like the end after a while. And the people I've killed..." he shudders. "Abadar forgive me. Hey, Righty, pour me one!"

Sovereign Court

Righty pulls a fresh bottle from the satchel at his side. He shrugs then puts its back and removes a dust covered bottle with dwarven runes.

"Here Kyros, its the best whiskey I have on hand. I traded a few coins to the dwarves in Janderhoff - distilled and aged in oak." I thought it odd for dwarves to care about the trees, but its said to be good."

"I miss Lefty. He was ever the second story man to my con. The two of us together were a holy terror for Calistria. I could always count on his flank, and he on mine. Sigh. He followed that funny Guaril character somewhere or other after the Rune Carved Key incident."

"I heard that Telessar ran into him in Nerosyn. How fares my partner in crime brother?"

The Exchange

There is a split-second of shock on Val Morik's fiendish, tattooed face when Kyros asks about his origins. It almost instantly fades away to a slightly confused brow creasing and a head scratch. He then kind of holds his hands up with a light shrug as he meets Kyros's gaze.

"I've always been one to look forwards I suppose. That's not to say that I believe it doesn't matter where you have been on your road of life, because it does...only that I value the here and now. I'm not sure you will find much of epic nature in my early life, as it was my time with the Pathfinder Society that led me to this point. But I'll give ya the short and sweet, since you asked so nice."

The wily fiend smirks at Kyros in jest.

Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22 (He is not wearing his mask at the moment, favoring his jingasa. Bluff reduced accordingly.)

The feeling he is attempting to mask:
Val Morik is attempting to employ humor with Kyros as a sort of deflection against how uncomfortable he feels talking about his early years.

"I was born down here, presumably somewhere on this level, but I never did discover the truth. I don't know who my parents were, or how or why they were down here. I do know that my...lineage is demonic in nature, but I know nothing else of my biological family or demonic bloodline. It's something that continues to weigh on my thoughts from time to time, but I have learned to accept that these mysteries will likely never be unveiled to me."

"Since my mind became cogent enough to recall, my earliest memories are of the Dark Folk city Sverspume. I spent the first seventy years of my life there. It was...less than pleasant. My master at that time, a wretched and cruel creature called "Spite" in his people's tongue, had the esteem of working directly for the August Caller - the lord of the city, and master of the slave market. At first, I served Spite as an esteemed possession, as there weren't many of fiendish heritage below. Later, after my aptitude for swordplay and arcane magic was discovered quite by accident, he spared few expenses in seeing me properly trained. Time, and my fear of him, saw that his will became my guide."

Though he seems largely relaxed otherwise, Val Morik's fists are clenched so tightly the color begins to drain from his knuckles. He appears completely oblivious to this as he continues his tale.

"Eventually, after decades of..."service", Eninox helped me to free myself."His right hand strays to the rune-etched, dark bladed falcata sheathed at his side. As his hand comes to rest on the handle, his left hand visibly relaxes as the color begins to return.
"You might say that I found Eninox amidst the possessions of an old Nidalan slaver trying to trade for new bodies, but I say that Eninox found me. It called to me, and spoke that our destiny dwelt outside of fear and darkness, and that it would show me if I let it. And I did. I made certain that my current blade met with an "accident" during my service to Spite that day, and conveniently pointed out to my former master that this merchant had a similar blade for sale. Eninox bid me leave that night, and led me to surface nation of Nidal over the next week. I met a Pathfinder Venture-Captain named Velum Iacet shortly after. He was an Oracle of the Heavens, and he showed me a kindness I was not used too. He invited me to journey with him to Absalom, and Eninox and I did. I went through my confirmation shortly there after, and the rest...well, we're writing that as we speak.

Grand Lodge

"Ah. I see." He passes his whiskey to Val. "You need it more than I do."

DC 20 Perception, Val automatically passes:
"Sorry about that."

The Exchange

Val readily takes the drink from Kyros, with a small "thanks" salute. He then waves his hand dismissively, as if to say "don't worry about it".

"The roads traveled have led us to where we are now. I look forward to being written about in future Pathfinder Chronicles! To the future, my friend!"

Grand Lodge

"To the future! May we advance the glory of the society in every way imaginable, and not die horrible...HORRIBLE, deaths!"

Sczarni

We are sure to die. Here there now or later. Inevitable as the night.

Lefty and I laid a dozen demons to rest. His whereabouts afterward are unknown. I don't think he enjoys the wildlife.

Nerosyn suits my nature. I need not search or hunt down my quarry it simply comes to die. A most convenient place. I may buy a house there someday, but the place may drive me insane ... but what real estate purchase is without risk?

Grand Lodge

"I have a ranch in Lastwall. You all should come over sometime."

Sovereign Court

I often find it funny, how drawn Pathfinders are to owning houses or estates in which they will seldom really spend much time. I suppose it's the sense of balance with the vagaries of adventuring life... well, that, and the fact that we get rich.

I kind of went crazy with it myself. I have my little palazzo in the Petal District in absalom, of course, and a country estate outside of Korvosa. My current obsession though is Akiton - I'm building a palace on a mountaintop a few miles from Arl; the ruler of that city is a friend, so I called in the favor for the land. No normal person could build anything there anyway. The view of Arl and its Great Pyramid is stunning!

Akiton's gravity is sort of low, so you can build much taller, much more slender, but more elegant structures; for perspective, you can build four times the height on Akiton, yet still preserve full structural integrity. I'm actually building it by reshaping the mountain top, extruding the rock of the summit up into elegant shapes. I've... arranged for a top sculptor to design the structure: it should be as much a work of art as a residence. Not monumental, but more like a forest of living stone. The designer is elven, actually, to give an idea of the ethos.

The builders are shaitan - I just bind them into service. You can't really imagine the quality of shaitan stonework and design until you see it... it's almost like a tailor weaving the very structure from the living mountain.

Anyway, it will be my showcase.

After this expedition, I'll certainly expect everyone over - I'll have a huge, insane party to open the place. I know some of you are aware of how to get to Akiton; arrangements can be made for the others.

Silver Crusade

"I suppose growing up in a caravan, as I did, made me never long for a place of my own. We travelled all over Varisia, even to the Stair, and traded story and song with all those we met. There wasn't anything horrible back then, just moving all over the place. I learned to deal with many types of people and ... other things in my travels. I've got a share in a caravan now, and I travel to open up markets and make sure places are ready to receive it." She smiles slowly, thinking back. "I suppose my father wasn't very happy with Mother working the nights, but he hid it from me. It might be why he encouraged me to go on and find a place to practice my magicks."

"I'm sorry to hear of your struggles in your young life, Val, but as you say, your travels have led you here, and now, and the future has all sorts of possibilities."

She shifts her gaze to Violetta. "I have never thought of architecture as fine art, but that place sure sounds like a wonder. Cuore and I would love to see it. I haven't yet refined my teleportation to even be reliable on Golarion, much less to the Outer Worlds. In fact," she suppresses a chuckle behind her hand. "The very first time I teleported any distance on a mission, I ended up in the middle of the Inner Sea, floating and trying to concentrate enough to teleport again. Some master of magic I am!" Her eyes roll in self-deprecation, and she takes a sip of her drink, fairly delicately.

Sczarni

My travels to that place were odd. I did not get the chance for a true contest there. Perhaps a third trip would be good for me. I may even try the poisoned food.

Sovereign Court

I've stayed out of the main city of Absolom as the locals do not have sufficient room for a distillery. I expect its more to do with the cartage than the risk or odors. In fact I've started an elven enclave to the west of Absolom in the forest of Westgate. There is a risk to lose the area to the inevitable siege (it seems to happen now and then. Yet, its my next agenda item to secure it through veils and illusions similar to those employed in Kyonin proper.

Grand Lodge

"I've been saving up for more equipment so that I may better myself. The other reason for not buying a house would be that my people, like Pathfinder Society members, are constantly traveling. Perhaps sometime I will buy a place for myself, but there are still other things that need doing. Like being right here."

Grand Lodge

"Right. We've got jobs to do in the morning!"

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