The man in the toga bows, "Ninos, my name was Ninos."
For clarity, Adad states "I am sure you have the same ability to use your magical powers to create servants. Ninos was my servant and I was very fond of him, he served me well. Now, he is only a shadow of himself, a spell I believe is the best way to explain it, that I can call on him to serve me again. But my dear friend and servant has been dead these many hundreds of years."
"Thank you, then, Ninos!" Khessa smiles at the servant.
The blonde arcane warrior, then, after listening to the explanation of the undead host, smiles at him too: "And thanks to you too for the clarification, Adad! But from the way you talk about him, Ninos must be a very good person, therefore, even when I will address the shadow of himself that you can evoke, I will treat such shadow with respect and I will address such shadow by his name, in honor of the person who originates that shadow".
"Some of the best I've had in centuries," Akkron answers honestly as he leans back in his seat.
Listening to the conversation about the servant, Akkron slowly exhales a cloud of smoke that briefly takes the form of a spider.
"Indeed... it is a power that I can use, though I rarely do," he sighs. "Usually, I am willing to let even my dearest friends rest when the time comes... there is only one whom I could not bring myself to let go..."
His ancient hand rests on the pouch that contains a gilded humanoid skull. He lingers a moment, then decides to change the subject.
"I would personally be in favor of staying here for the night, if that is agreeable to our host," he says. "If I remember the plan correctly, after we have completed our business here, our next destination is to see the trolls and convince them that allying themselves with the Zemochs is suicide... and after what we have done here, I think we are in an excellent position to bargain. Especially if Lady Morreren of the Black Legion and our gracious host Adad-Nirari would like to make an appearance as well to help further cement in their consciousness who they make enemies of by siding with Azash."
Khessa, who in the meantime has finished sweeping away even the last crumbs of the delicious dish, laughs heartily: "Indeed, Master Akkron! Presenting yourself in the company of representatives of the Avernus and the Cipis Empire should provide interesting food for thought! And perhaps" she smiles at the idea, thinking of a certain divine child "even a representative of the young gods could make an appearance... We would be in good company indeed!"
"Furthermore," the blonde arcane warrior is keen to add "in my opinion it will be crucial to tell the experience that the Cipis Empire had with the 'nefarious duo', Slaanesh and Azash... Hearing the testimony of someone who has collected the ' In my opinion, the fruits of their work will be the decisive argument".
"Speaking of this," the tall adventuress focuses her curious blue eyes on the undead host "would you feel like telling us first of all what happened? How did those two perverse deities bring about the downfall of the empire? I'm sure these are not good memories... but, as you understand, this knowledge could be a very powerful weapon to use..."
"Some of the best I've had in centuries," Akkron answers honestly as he leans back in his seat.
Listening to the conversation about the servant, Akkron slowly exhales a cloud of smoke that briefly takes the form of a spider.
"Indeed... it is a power that I can use, though I rarely do," he sighs. "Usually, I am willing to let even my dearest friends rest when the time comes... there is only one whom I could not bring myself to let go..."
His ancient hand rests on the pouch that contains a gilded humanoid skull. He lingers a moment, then decides to change the subject.
"I would personally be in favor of staying here for the night, if that is agreeable to our host," he says. "If I remember the plan correctly, after we have completed our business here, our next destination is to see the trolls and convince them that allying themselves with the Zemochs is suicide... and after what we have done here, I think we are in an excellent position to bargain. Especially if Lady Morreren of the Black Legion and our gracious host Adad-Nirari would like to make an appearance as well to help further cement in their consciousness who they make enemies of by siding with Azash."
You are all welcome to stay as long as you wish, you are safe from any of those who would seek ill of you.
When asked to speak of his past, Adad pauses for a moment. Then he settles back in his chair.
"Our empire was great, and we relished in our greatness. We excelled in the magical arts, the sciences, all of the land was ours and we lived in a great time of peace. Everyone prospered, we almost conquered even sickness. That greatness was both a boon, and a curse, for we became so caught up in our greatness, that our hubris began to even challenge our god. Some believed they were greater than he, and that's when our downfall began."
Adad pauses again for a moment before continuing, letting out a dry sigh.
"Our soothsayers began warning of a dark couple, of two evil entities that unless we change our ways, will devour us and sweep us aside. Again, our hubris overrode the warnings we were getting, even from our god who was speaking through them. We have lost our way, and soon a corruption, like a disease began to sweep through the empire. Black cults that followed Azash and this Slaanesh, blood sacrifices found our people turning on one another. Ashur, our god, tried to strengthen our defense against the blackness that was sweeping the empire. But as his followers were either corrupted or slaughtered, the less power he had."
Adad slowly shook his head, and again let out a dry sigh.
Slaanesh and Azash fully corrupted those who though they were above or beyond Ashur, but in the end were the first to be turned and corrupted. Then when the empire was teetering, their armies struck, supported by demons from the underworld, and the dead that were raised. In the end, nearly every last person of the empire was destroyed, even those who had turned to Azash and Slaanesh, were themselves sacrificed either as fanatics in battle, or on the blood alters. Only one member of the empire remained, cursed and doomed to be alesson for those who won't head warnings."
He looks at you all, and then points at himself.
"I am the sole survivor of the empire, cursed to live for all eternity here in what was once a great temple to Ashur, now my home and prison. In Ashur's last moment before he ceased to exist, he bestowed on me all of his power, yet not enough to break this curse. So here I sit. These followers of Azash and Slaanesh rebuilt the temple to suit their needs, but tried to brick me in so as to avoid my vengeance on them. That is my story, and our story of an empire that is no more."
Khessa's tears slowly began to flow from her attentive blue eyes as she listened to the story of how the two perverse deities were responsible for the ruin of the vast population of such a great empire. How many lives do they have to answer for? How much pain? But now that the story is over, she wipes her tears with the back of her hand as she approaches the undead host and, having reached him, hugs him.
"It is indeed a story with a tragic beginning, Adad" she holds him close; she doesn't know how much he can feel her warmth, but she hopes to be able to convey to him something of her feelings of understanding and solidarity. "I'm so sorry for everything you must have suffered..."
"But do you know what?" The blonde arcane warrior then places her hands on his shoulders and fixes her determined blue eyes in his empty sockets: "This is only the beginning of a story whose ending will be very different! You, yes, you who consider yourself cursed, you will instead be the cause of the defeat of that evil couple. The more I find out about this affair, the more I am convinced that this war will not be won with armies or with force (which we do not lack, anyway), but with souls and hearts. What happened to the Cipis Empire will be made known. Not only will the Trolls avoid allying themselves with the evil couple - but even the Zemochs will abandon them".
"We will show them what the evil couple does to those who serve and follow them: they use them, exploit them, then sacrifice them. The evil couple does not care about them at all. Then, we will show them an alternative" the tall adventuress has an idea. "A god who has been waiting for them for a long time, to guide them, protect them, and truly care about them. A god who needs true believers, as the Zemochs need a true god - a god who protects them, instead of using them. Ashur is dead, you say? I don't think so. He still lives in you. And he will become the god of the Zemochs. It will be the evil couple who will be left without followers. They will be the ones to lose power until they disappear. And so, they will never be a threat again. While Ashur will once again be honored in this world".
"You will see, Adad..." Khessa smiles now, full of confidence in the long-term plan she has just laid out "You will like the ending of the story we are writing. That was not the end of Ashur - for you still love him and love saves".
"Meanwhile, as a first step," the blonde arcane warrior suggests "we could dedicate the entire complex to Ashur. With your help, it shouldn't be difficult. We could create a large quantity of holy water. And you are still a true believer of Ashur... at that point you could consecrate the entire complex to him, I suppose. After that, you'll be able to move within the entire perimeter of it. You would be free to transform it with your powers and make it a wonderful temple. It will serve to host the first new Ashur faithful that we will send you. And it will be a very bad surprise for the lackeys of the evil couple, in case they try to return here to occupy again what they still believe is a base of theirs!"
"What do you say, Adad?" the tall adventuress seems ready to act immediately "Shall we start?"
Akkron is also saddened by the story, but his first thought is not on dedicating the temple to Ashur. His main concern is a bit more immediate.
"When you say that you were 'cursed to live for all eternity here,' do you mean that you are incapable of leaving this complex?" he asks the other lich. "If so... do you know how you are prevented from leaving? We may be able to find a way to free you from your prison once we know what magical barriers are in place which must be broken."
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Adad is humbled and bows, "I hope it is so, for I wish justice to be served against those two. You are correct, I cannot leave this place, for it is part of the curse and what has been paced upon my shoulders by my god. I must observe and educate where I can from this point."
Does Adad anyway confirm the feasibility of the proposal that Khessa had for the immediate future? That is, to consecrate the entire complex to Ashur? She can create, if it serves the purpose, a large quantity of Holy Water - 5-foot cube, so 125 cubic feet, so about 3540 liters. Would Adad then be able to consecrate the whole complex?
So that he can 1) move freely around the entire complex (since the entire complex would become part of the 'temple') 2) be our guarantee that the compound will no longer be used by the forces of the nefarious duo ?
If so, the blonde arcane warrior willingly uses the last 5th level slot she has left to create Holy Water...
Does Adad anyway confirm the feasibility of the proposal that Khessa had for the immediate future? That is, to consecrate the entire complex to Ashur? She can create, if it serves the purpose, a large quantity of Holy Water - 5-foot cube, so 125 cubic feet, so about 3540 liters. Would Adad then be able to consecrate the whole complex?
So that he can 1) move freely around the entire complex (since the entire complex would become part of the 'temple') 2) be our guarantee that the compound will no longer be used by the forces of the nefarious duo ?
If so, the blonde arcane warrior willingly uses the last 5th level slot she has left to create Holy Water...
It will make no difference, Ashur as a god is dead and gone. Only Adad remains as a reminder of the past, and can do nothing else. He has to remain in his residence where he is, and cannot leave.
"Well, perhaps when the dark gods are defeated you will be free to leave this place,"Akkron says, though he doesn't feel entirely optimistic.
He pauses as another idea strikes him.
"By the way, you wouldn't happen to have a dungeon, would you? We captured two of the Zemoch matrons and an Ashen Rider alive, and I wouldn't want to leave them outside all night with only a single zombie as their guard."
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"Well, perhaps when the dark gods are defeated you will be free to leave this place,"Akkron says, though he doesn't feel entirely optimistic.
He pauses as another idea strikes him.
"By the way, you wouldn't happen to have a dungeon, would you? We captured two of the Zemoch matrons and an Ashen Rider alive, and I wouldn't want to leave them outside all night with only a single zombie as their guard."
He replies with, "I have some old storage rooms that can be converted and locked. I would gladly take them off your hands. It will be a pity that under my watchful eye so to say, they have very disturbing dreams."
"Very good!" Khessa smiles, clearly satisfied with the accommodation found for the prisoners "I'll go get them straight away".
The blonde arcane warrior therefore goes to retrieve them and, as soon as she returns, she smugly entrusts them to Adad's 'care'. She tries to provide food for thought on the fact that the 'nefarious duo' did not want or were able to protect them even in a place consecrated to them... and on how the previous faithful of the 'nefarious duo' (for example the faithful of Cipis Empire) have had no special rewards... other than being thoroughly exploited and, ultimately, being used as victims in blood sacrifices.
"Do you not understand, that the veneration of Azash and Slaanesh is certain ruin?" the tall adventuress concludes "Not only are they inducing you into a war that you cannot win... Indeed, even if you won, you would simply be thrown away at the end of everything... as happened with those who preceded you... You would be sacrificed for power or for mere fun... You have no future with that cult. Those two divine parasites only suck your devotion, without giving you anything lasting in return. It's time to realize it - and embrace a new faith".
"Very good!" Khessa smiles, clearly satisfied with the accommodation found for the prisoners "I'll go get them straight away".
The blonde arcane warrior therefore goes to retrieve them and, as soon as she returns, she smugly entrusts them to Adad's 'care'. She tries to provide food for thought on the fact that the 'nefarious duo' did not want or were able to protect them even in a place consecrated to them... and on how the previous faithful of the 'nefarious duo' (for example the faithful of Cipis Empire) have had no special rewards... other than being thoroughly exploited and, ultimately, being used as victims in blood sacrifices.
"Do you not understand, that the veneration of Azash and Slaanesh is certain ruin?" the tall adventuress concludes "Not only are they inducing you into a war that you cannot win... Indeed, even if you won, you would simply be thrown away at the end of everything... as happened with those who preceded you... You would be sacrificed for power or for mere fun... You have no future with that cult. Those two divine parasites only suck your devotion, without giving you anything lasting in return. It's time to realize it - and embrace a new faith".
Your prisoners look at you with hatred and scorn, their fanatical belief at the moment is unwavering. There is a dry chuckle from Adad. "Their fanaticism may not last that long after a week with me." He then uses his magical energy to push the prisoners into the storeroom and close the door. It disappears and only a wall remains. "They are now stuck between worlds, and in the realm of the void where the creatures and dark energies they thought they controlled, are waiting for them. They will not be physically harmed, though their minds will not have any rest while I keep them there. You are always welcome to return, rest and have conversation. When or if you need these prisoners back, all you have to ask."
Khessa smiles back at Adad and pats him on the shoulder: "I've never been too good with words... your arguments will probably be more convincing than mine! Plus, anyway, jokes aside, any true conversion takes time. They will have time to meditate. I am convinced that they will eventually understand the truth behind my words. They may be ruthless, evil, corrupt, desperate... but I don't think they are also stupid. Now that they know they have an alternative, I am convinced that sooner or later they will accept it. The 'nefarious duo' is a suicidal choice in every sense - even in the event of their victory - history proves it".
Content and relaxed, the blonde arcane warrior spends a good part of the evening talking to the two liches, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible from two lovers of knowledge who have had so much time to love (and delve into) it.
The tall adventuress also carves out some time for pleasant reading; for example, she begins to take advantage of the Tome of Understanding and tries to copy another of the Scrolls that she had bought at Baldur's Gate before the journey into her Spellbook; this time she chooses: Remove Curse.
Mal shakes her head to clear the sleep from here eyes when Khessa goes and gets the prisoner and she goes to help. On the way she asks Kehssa, "You really think you can create a god with this Adad fellow? Isn't there a bit much more, I dunno, something to create one. If it was so easy wouldn't there be a lot more gods running around mucking up the place? Either way I am happy he is on our side, and we now have a clearer direction on convincing the others not to follow Sla and Azash." She then rests her hand on Khessa shoulder, "Also remind me never to get into an intellectual battle with you, psychically I think I can take you, maybe, possibly, probably. However if we ever have to battle over wits, I think I might be done for."
With the rest out of the way Mal will find a comfortable corner and begin the study of the book she was given.
"Oh, you think too highly of me, Mal!" Khessa laughs "I don't think I can 'create' a god - but if this divinity has transferred its power to Adad... perhaps, then, in a certain sense this divinity is still alive, in him, right? Also because Adad still remembers this god... he still loves this god..." she has a vaguely dreamy look and waves her hands as if this could help her explain in a rational way what she feels in a perhaps more empathetic and instinctive way "So, can this god really be said to be dead? And anyway, if mortals can be resurrected from the death... why not a god? Ashur could really return - or at least that's what I believe and hope".
"However, if this happened," the blonde arcane warrior is keen to point out "it would certainly not be thanks to me, but thanks to the one who continued to believe in him... and to those who will eventually believe in him in the future. It would be a wonderful revenge for Ashur, by the way, to become the instrument of the definitive defeat of the 'nefarious duo'... winning the hearts of their faithful! It's an idea that I would really like... But" she laughs again "it's mine husband, Jasper, who could give you more certainty as to whether this could actually happen or not. He is the religious expert in the family... he is a cleric... I only know about weapons, spells... and cabbages!"
“And thank you for your high opinion of my intellect!” the tall adventuress smiles "But I'm sure you're quite a smart one too - or you wouldn't still be here with us, alive and well, considering your job! What was it that struck you so much, anyway? The idea of depriving Azash and Slaanesh of their faithful?"
"To be honest, your whole "plan" as my thoughts never even came close to thinking along those lines. I just saw Adad as another cog in our wheel in our general plan of defeating the enemy. As powerful as a tool as he could be, your idea is tenfold as powerful as my thoughts. I am a bit more happy that our prisoners are now his and we don't have to deal with them anymore. I look forward to our continuing adventure into the hills and dealing with trolls and giants." Mal says to Khessa and the rest of the crew as she continues to look wander around the room looking at everything, taking interest into anything shiny.
Perception: 27
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"Thank you, then, Ninos!" Khessa smiles at the servant.
The blonde arcane warrior, then, after listening to the explanation of the undead host, smiles at him too: "And thanks to you too for the clarification, Adad! But from the way you talk about him, Ninos must be a very good person, therefore, even when I will address the shadow of himself that you can evoke, I will treat such shadow with respect and I will address such shadow by his name, in honor of the person who originates that shadow".
"Some of the best I've had in centuries," Akkron answers honestly as he leans back in his seat.
Listening to the conversation about the servant, Akkron slowly exhales a cloud of smoke that briefly takes the form of a spider.
"Indeed... it is a power that I can use, though I rarely do," he sighs. "Usually, I am willing to let even my dearest friends rest when the time comes... there is only one whom I could not bring myself to let go..."
His ancient hand rests on the pouch that contains a gilded humanoid skull. He lingers a moment, then decides to change the subject.
"I would personally be in favor of staying here for the night, if that is agreeable to our host," he says. "If I remember the plan correctly, after we have completed our business here, our next destination is to see the trolls and convince them that allying themselves with the Zemochs is suicide... and after what we have done here, I think we are in an excellent position to bargain. Especially if Lady Morreren of the Black Legion and our gracious host Adad-Nirari would like to make an appearance as well to help further cement in their consciousness who they make enemies of by siding with Azash."
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Khessa, who in the meantime has finished sweeping away even the last crumbs of the delicious dish, laughs heartily: "Indeed, Master Akkron! Presenting yourself in the company of representatives of the Avernus and the Cipis Empire should provide interesting food for thought! And perhaps" she smiles at the idea, thinking of a certain divine child "even a representative of the young gods could make an appearance... We would be in good company indeed!"
"Furthermore," the blonde arcane warrior is keen to add "in my opinion it will be crucial to tell the experience that the Cipis Empire had with the 'nefarious duo', Slaanesh and Azash... Hearing the testimony of someone who has collected the ' In my opinion, the fruits of their work will be the decisive argument".
"Speaking of this," the tall adventuress focuses her curious blue eyes on the undead host "would you feel like telling us first of all what happened? How did those two perverse deities bring about the downfall of the empire? I'm sure these are not good memories... but, as you understand, this knowledge could be a very powerful weapon to use..."
You are all welcome to stay as long as you wish, you are safe from any of those who would seek ill of you.
When asked to speak of his past, Adad pauses for a moment. Then he settles back in his chair.
"Our empire was great, and we relished in our greatness. We excelled in the magical arts, the sciences, all of the land was ours and we lived in a great time of peace. Everyone prospered, we almost conquered even sickness. That greatness was both a boon, and a curse, for we became so caught up in our greatness, that our hubris began to even challenge our god. Some believed they were greater than he, and that's when our downfall began."
Adad pauses again for a moment before continuing, letting out a dry sigh.
"Our soothsayers began warning of a dark couple, of two evil entities that unless we change our ways, will devour us and sweep us aside. Again, our hubris overrode the warnings we were getting, even from our god who was speaking through them. We have lost our way, and soon a corruption, like a disease began to sweep through the empire. Black cults that followed Azash and this Slaanesh, blood sacrifices found our people turning on one another. Ashur, our god, tried to strengthen our defense against the blackness that was sweeping the empire. But as his followers were either corrupted or slaughtered, the less power he had."
Adad slowly shook his head, and again let out a dry sigh.
Slaanesh and Azash fully corrupted those who though they were above or beyond Ashur, but in the end were the first to be turned and corrupted. Then when the empire was teetering, their armies struck, supported by demons from the underworld, and the dead that were raised. In the end, nearly every last person of the empire was destroyed, even those who had turned to Azash and Slaanesh, were themselves sacrificed either as fanatics in battle, or on the blood alters. Only one member of the empire remained, cursed and doomed to be alesson for those who won't head warnings."
He looks at you all, and then points at himself.
"I am the sole survivor of the empire, cursed to live for all eternity here in what was once a great temple to Ashur, now my home and prison. In Ashur's last moment before he ceased to exist, he bestowed on me all of his power, yet not enough to break this curse. So here I sit. These followers of Azash and Slaanesh rebuilt the temple to suit their needs, but tried to brick me in so as to avoid my vengeance on them. That is my story, and our story of an empire that is no more."
Khessa's tears slowly began to flow from her attentive blue eyes as she listened to the story of how the two perverse deities were responsible for the ruin of the vast population of such a great empire. How many lives do they have to answer for? How much pain? But now that the story is over, she wipes her tears with the back of her hand as she approaches the undead host and, having reached him, hugs him.
"It is indeed a story with a tragic beginning, Adad" she holds him close; she doesn't know how much he can feel her warmth, but she hopes to be able to convey to him something of her feelings of understanding and solidarity. "I'm so sorry for everything you must have suffered..."
"But do you know what?" The blonde arcane warrior then places her hands on his shoulders and fixes her determined blue eyes in his empty sockets: "This is only the beginning of a story whose ending will be very different! You, yes, you who consider yourself cursed, you will instead be the cause of the defeat of that evil couple. The more I find out about this affair, the more I am convinced that this war will not be won with armies or with force (which we do not lack, anyway), but with souls and hearts. What happened to the Cipis Empire will be made known. Not only will the Trolls avoid allying themselves with the evil couple - but even the Zemochs will abandon them".
"We will show them what the evil couple does to those who serve and follow them: they use them, exploit them, then sacrifice them. The evil couple does not care about them at all. Then, we will show them an alternative" the tall adventuress has an idea. "A god who has been waiting for them for a long time, to guide them, protect them, and truly care about them. A god who needs true believers, as the Zemochs need a true god - a god who protects them, instead of using them. Ashur is dead, you say? I don't think so. He still lives in you. And he will become the god of the Zemochs. It will be the evil couple who will be left without followers. They will be the ones to lose power until they disappear. And so, they will never be a threat again. While Ashur will once again be honored in this world".
"You will see, Adad..." Khessa smiles now, full of confidence in the long-term plan she has just laid out "You will like the ending of the story we are writing. That was not the end of Ashur - for you still love him and love saves".
"Meanwhile, as a first step," the blonde arcane warrior suggests "we could dedicate the entire complex to Ashur. With your help, it shouldn't be difficult. We could create a large quantity of holy water. And you are still a true believer of Ashur... at that point you could consecrate the entire complex to him, I suppose. After that, you'll be able to move within the entire perimeter of it. You would be free to transform it with your powers and make it a wonderful temple. It will serve to host the first new Ashur faithful that we will send you. And it will be a very bad surprise for the lackeys of the evil couple, in case they try to return here to occupy again what they still believe is a base of theirs!"
"What do you say, Adad?" the tall adventuress seems ready to act immediately "Shall we start?"
Akkron is also saddened by the story, but his first thought is not on dedicating the temple to Ashur. His main concern is a bit more immediate.
"When you say that you were 'cursed to live for all eternity here,' do you mean that you are incapable of leaving this complex?" he asks the other lich. "If so... do you know how you are prevented from leaving? We may be able to find a way to free you from your prison once we know what magical barriers are in place which must be broken."
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Adad is humbled and bows, "I hope it is so, for I wish justice to be served against those two. You are correct, I cannot leave this place, for it is part of the curse and what has been paced upon my shoulders by my god. I must observe and educate where I can from this point."
Does Adad anyway confirm the feasibility of the proposal that Khessa had for the immediate future? That is, to consecrate the entire complex to Ashur? She can create, if it serves the purpose, a large quantity of Holy Water - 5-foot cube, so 125 cubic feet, so about 3540 liters. Would Adad then be able to consecrate the whole complex?
So that he can
1) move freely around the entire complex (since the entire complex would become part of the 'temple')
2) be our guarantee that the compound will no longer be used by the forces of the nefarious duo
?
If so, the blonde arcane warrior willingly uses the last 5th level slot she has left to create Holy Water...
It will make no difference, Ashur as a god is dead and gone. Only Adad remains as a reminder of the past, and can do nothing else. He has to remain in his residence where he is, and cannot leave.
Akkron sighs.
"Well, perhaps when the dark gods are defeated you will be free to leave this place," Akkron says, though he doesn't feel entirely optimistic.
He pauses as another idea strikes him.
"By the way, you wouldn't happen to have a dungeon, would you? We captured two of the Zemoch matrons and an Ashen Rider alive, and I wouldn't want to leave them outside all night with only a single zombie as their guard."
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He replies with, "I have some old storage rooms that can be converted and locked. I would gladly take them off your hands. It will be a pity that under my watchful eye so to say, they have very disturbing dreams."
"Very good!" Khessa smiles, clearly satisfied with the accommodation found for the prisoners "I'll go get them straight away".
The blonde arcane warrior therefore goes to retrieve them and, as soon as she returns, she smugly entrusts them to Adad's 'care'. She tries to provide food for thought on the fact that the 'nefarious duo' did not want or were able to protect them even in a place consecrated to them... and on how the previous faithful of the 'nefarious duo' (for example the faithful of Cipis Empire) have had no special rewards... other than being thoroughly exploited and, ultimately, being used as victims in blood sacrifices.
"Do you not understand, that the veneration of Azash and Slaanesh is certain ruin?" the tall adventuress concludes "Not only are they inducing you into a war that you cannot win... Indeed, even if you won, you would simply be thrown away at the end of everything... as happened with those who preceded you... You would be sacrificed for power or for mere fun... You have no future with that cult. Those two divine parasites only suck your devotion, without giving you anything lasting in return. It's time to realize it - and embrace a new faith".
Your prisoners look at you with hatred and scorn, their fanatical belief at the moment is unwavering. There is a dry chuckle from Adad. "Their fanaticism may not last that long after a week with me." He then uses his magical energy to push the prisoners into the storeroom and close the door. It disappears and only a wall remains. "They are now stuck between worlds, and in the realm of the void where the creatures and dark energies they thought they controlled, are waiting for them. They will not be physically harmed, though their minds will not have any rest while I keep them there. You are always welcome to return, rest and have conversation. When or if you need these prisoners back, all you have to ask."
Khessa smiles back at Adad and pats him on the shoulder: "I've never been too good with words... your arguments will probably be more convincing than mine! Plus, anyway, jokes aside, any true conversion takes time. They will have time to meditate. I am convinced that they will eventually understand the truth behind my words. They may be ruthless, evil, corrupt, desperate... but I don't think they are also stupid. Now that they know they have an alternative, I am convinced that sooner or later they will accept it. The 'nefarious duo' is a suicidal choice in every sense - even in the event of their victory - history proves it".
Content and relaxed, the blonde arcane warrior spends a good part of the evening talking to the two liches, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible from two lovers of knowledge who have had so much time to love (and delve into) it.
The tall adventuress also carves out some time for pleasant reading; for example, she begins to take advantage of the Tome of Understanding and tries to copy another of the Scrolls that she had bought at Baldur's Gate before the journey into her Spellbook; this time she chooses: Remove Curse.
Khessa's Arcana check to copy Remove Curse in her Spellbook (assuming Matic's gracious help as usual ): 22
Mal shakes her head to clear the sleep from here eyes when Khessa goes and gets the prisoner and she goes to help. On the way she asks Kehssa, "You really think you can create a god with this Adad fellow? Isn't there a bit much more, I dunno, something to create one. If it was so easy wouldn't there be a lot more gods running around mucking up the place? Either way I am happy he is on our side, and we now have a clearer direction on convincing the others not to follow Sla and Azash." She then rests her hand on Khessa shoulder, "Also remind me never to get into an intellectual battle with you, psychically I think I can take you, maybe, possibly, probably. However if we ever have to battle over wits, I think I might be done for."
With the rest out of the way Mal will find a comfortable corner and begin the study of the book she was given.
"Oh, you think too highly of me, Mal!" Khessa laughs "I don't think I can 'create' a god - but if this divinity has transferred its power to Adad... perhaps, then, in a certain sense this divinity is still alive, in him, right? Also because Adad still remembers this god... he still loves this god..." she has a vaguely dreamy look and waves her hands as if this could help her explain in a rational way what she feels in a perhaps more empathetic and instinctive way "So, can this god really be said to be dead? And anyway, if mortals can be resurrected from the death... why not a god? Ashur could really return - or at least that's what I believe and hope".
"However, if this happened," the blonde arcane warrior is keen to point out "it would certainly not be thanks to me, but thanks to the one who continued to believe in him... and to those who will eventually believe in him in the future. It would be a wonderful revenge for Ashur, by the way, to become the instrument of the definitive defeat of the 'nefarious duo'... winning the hearts of their faithful! It's an idea that I would really like... But" she laughs again "it's mine husband, Jasper, who could give you more certainty as to whether this could actually happen or not. He is the religious expert in the family... he is a cleric... I only know about weapons, spells... and cabbages!"
“And thank you for your high opinion of my intellect!” the tall adventuress smiles "But I'm sure you're quite a smart one too - or you wouldn't still be here with us, alive and well, considering your job! What was it that struck you so much, anyway? The idea of depriving Azash and Slaanesh of their faithful?"
Successful
"To be honest, your whole "plan" as my thoughts never even came close to thinking along those lines. I just saw Adad as another cog in our wheel in our general plan of defeating the enemy. As powerful as a tool as he could be, your idea is tenfold as powerful as my thoughts. I am a bit more happy that our prisoners are now his and we don't have to deal with them anymore. I look forward to our continuing adventure into the hills and dealing with trolls and giants." Mal says to Khessa and the rest of the crew as she continues to look wander around the room looking at everything, taking interest into anything shiny.
Perception: 27