"Yes, we eliminated the western horde but need to meet with your arcanist quickly. Can you take us there?" Gaelin adds looking over to Torq. Gaelin is pretty sure that Torq would never hurt any of the group or the officers but as he listened to Torq talk he couldn't help but notice his disdain for keeping this orc alive. If the drekthar are somehow being controlled they shouldn't be held responsible for what has happened. They might have had no control over their bodies. Gaelin wasn't sure of anything yet but if the drekthar are all under a spell they're just as in danger as those they are fighting. Surely Torq knew that but after everyone they've killed could Gaelin blame him for the blind hatred of orcs and goblins.
Baern looks bewildered at the news of the horde's demise and partially in a daze walks over closer and says, "Okay.... I'll take ye there myself. He'll want to see ya anyway." The rest of the officers stare, some mouths agape as you exit the room before you hear Beladin shout, "Alright back to it. It ain't the first time you seen a badass. I've been stationed here for almost a year now." You follow Baern out to the courtyard and down a path towards a series of seven mage towers. Each tower is at least 150 feet tall with the largest being over 300 feet high. You stop in front of it expecting to see a door only to find stone. Two guard mages approach and ask your business. Baern gruffly tells them, "The Light Bringers request an audience with Varian immediately. They've just come back from killin over 4000 drekthar, do you want to stand in their way or tell your boss to open 'er up?" The mages, used to Baern's bluntness ignore him and one of them casts a spell familiar to Gaelin and Jinara, sending a message to someone. A few moments pass before the mage say, "He'll see you now." and with a flick of his wrist you feel your bodies suddenly lifted and your vision flashes white.
You blink rapidly trying to get a sense of what happened and feel your feet on a rug of some sort. You look around to find yourselves in a large lavishly furnished room. About a minute passes before an elven male enters through a door on the west wall. He is tall for an elf, maybe 6'3 with white hair and blue eyes. Dressed in a fine blue and black robe wielding a metal staff with what looks like strands of blown glass that stretch out at the top. The air around the glass seems cloudy and tiny arcs of electricity dance within the cloud. "I hate it when you do that." Baern says before being interrupted by Varian, "Welcome, Lightbringers. It is a pleasure to meet you in person finally. I hear you have urgent business with me?"
Gaelin steps forward, "We believe the drekthar are somehow being controlled through the tattoos with some kind of enchantment magic. We dispelled this orc's tattoo and he nearly died as a result. Neither of us know what kind of spell could do such a thing. We were hoping you might be able to examine him and help figure it out. Or if you can't do you have any books here on enchantment magic that we can look through? We also would like access to your teleportation circle here and potentially arrange fast travel to Esterlin so we can aid with their siege. That is, after we find and destroy the second horde to the northeast." (I think it was NE, right?) as he speaks he points to the passed out orc over Torq's shoulder. Gaelin's speech is rapid and somewhat garbled together, like an excited child or fearful parent trying to get as much information out as quickly as possible as if every second was precious.
Varian listens curiously then at the mention of the orc almost dying his eyes flare with surprise and he turns slightly to the side but keeps eye contact with Gaelin as he casts sending. Aryn and Mucor hear him whisper, "Lara, we have a survivor. Come to my tower immediately and meet me in the 6th chamber. We need your restoration abilities." He turns his body back and listens intently. "All of that can be arranged. I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am Varian of the Seven. Follow me. there is much to discuss." You follow Varian out the door and head down a series of stairs for about a minute before stopping at another door.
Varian opens the door and guides you into a large circular room with a stone floor. The walls are lined with bookshelves, alchemy equipment and workstations. In the center are three tall beds with white linens draped across them. Standing beside the front bed is a human female dressed in engraved full plate armor with a purple cloak draped over her back. She nods at Varian and rushes towards Torq delicately but easily picking up the unconscious orc and quickly carries him over to the front bed where she lies him down gently. She turns an excited but inquisitive look on her face at all the people behind Varian. As Lara approaches and grabs the she waves her hand and you feel a wave of healing energy pass over you. You each heal 45 HP and glow with a white holy aura for about 3 seconds before the aura fades. "How was he able to survive?" Varian looks at her then back to the group, "I'm not sure yet Lara. We haven't discussed the full details of the events that took place. Perhaps one or all of you can be of assistance in this area." Varian responds looking at Gaelin, Mucor and Jinara.
"I cast greater restoration on him to ease his exhaustion" The minotaur would say with a snort. "After my companion here cast a spell that caused his tattoo to change.." Mucor would say pointing to the orcs arm.
“While under the effects of detect magic I found a small aura of enchantment magic in the tattoo. I used a more powerful level of dispel magic to remove the enchantment and the tattoo seemed to turn to mist and be sucked out of the orcs body before the energy disappeared into the air. The Orc howled in pain then passed out. Mucor prodded him with his staff and used restoration magic on him and suddenly the orc awoke to apologize saying it felt like a dream then collapsed again. He’s been unconscious ever since.” Gaelin adds slowly somewhat taken aback by Lara and Varian’s comments thus far before asking, “You seem as though you’re only surprised he’s alive but not that the tattoo was magic. Did you know the orcs were under an enchantment spell?”
“We’ve tried and failed 16 times. We first discovered the tattoos were magical when a group of three were knocked unconscious by a sleep spell. Since then we’ve been trying to capture as many as possible. However, you are aware the Drekthar are near impossible to capture due to their ferocity and strong will to fight... Not to mention the intense hatred our troops have lends itself to a no prisoners attitude.” Lara says as she examines the orc. “From the looks of it you had to disarm him forcibly. All of our attempts have resulted in the death of the orc or goblin. We’ve yet to try a zombie or ogre. I’m curious as to how this one was able to survive.” She pauses raising an arm or leg and watching his breathing before she looks at Varian.
Varian leads you in further and summons an ethereal bench for you to sit on. You sit as Varian steps over towards the orc. “I assume you cast detect magic at 1st or 2nd level. If you cast it at 3rd or higher level you would also detect a necromantic magic emitting from the tattoo. We don’t know what the spell is because we don’t know the component or process but we do know that the spell feeds off the life-force of the living body it’s implanted on. Once dispelled the magic sucks the life from the body and leaves only a lifeless shell.” Varian says as he examines the scar on the orc’s shoulder. He looks over to the group and adds, “following so far?”
"I'm not sure what all this means. Why can't we di..spell it from all of them? Wouldn't that kill them all or at least all but a few?" Torq says not seeing any problem with orcs and goblins dying.
"How long have you known this? How many are aware of it and why hasn't anyone done anything about it? There are thousands of drekthar being controlled through a spell and it doesn't make sense unless Daegon is somehow behind it all. But why did this one live?" Gaelin asks getting frustrated with the situation.
"We aren't quite sure yet how this one survived. We think he must have a stronger constitution or will to live than the others we have seen. The short version Torq, is the spell binds itself to a living body and if removed it kills all but the strongest of them. The first instance happened about a year ago but we weren't able to capture another group until 3 moths later. While this secret has been known for a while, so much is unknown about it that it hasn't been shared with many. Only magi of the seven and a very select few clerics have been granted this knowledge. We fear that if this information leak reached the drekthar, they could change strategies and spells negating our research. We hope that this orc, the first to survive can give us greater insight to how and what this spell came to be." As Varian speaks the restorative spells begin to take effect and the orc jerks upright breathing heavily, confused and anxious.
"What...am I doing... here? Who... are.. you?" the orc questions in partially broken common. Before you can react Lara releases a spell and the orc's attitude shifts to calm and relaxed. Varian slowly moves closer arms raised and softly says something in orcish. The orc looks down at his missing hand and around the room before locking eyes with Aryn. Instead of fear or hate you only see regret in his eyes as Lara lies him on his back. Varian casts a spell familiar to Jinara, (Detect Thoughts) and begins a series of questions in orcish. Varian calls forth a magical piece of parchment and quill and begins to write down notes as he occasionally converses with Lara and sends a few messages to unknown recipients. Over the course of the next 10 minutes Varian and Lara discuss and take notes as books are brought to the room and left at the door. With each book delivered a ethereal hand grasp and brings the book over to Varian who looks through it and sets it on a nearby table making more notes.
(If any spells are attempt to be cast they are immediately dispelled. You aren't sure if Varian is subtly counterspelling or if there is some kind of abjuration magic at hand.)
Another 5-10 minutes goes by before you see him walk away from the orc and books to come address you. "I apologize for the wait. The last 17 minutes have been crucial to our research. I'm not positive yet but I believe Daegon has either created or re-discovered a method to merge two types of spells and in term create a new spell that has properties from both. While creating a spell is nothing new to well trained and master arcanists, being able to blend separate magics is wholely unknown. From what I've seen of the process it looks as though Daegon created a spell similar to Geas and Negative Energy Flood. The ritual I watched in the orc's memory of the tattoo had elements of both spells but was also a different spell in itself."
Varian pauses for a moment thinking to himself before continuing, "This is all just a theory but finding this information will allow us a better understanding of how to remove it safely. I think you'll come to see that the drekthar are simply pawns in a much larger scheme. Until our research is complete though we will have to continue fighting the war as we have been. You are all now aware of this knowledge and must take the oath or you will not be allowed to leave this tower alive. That includes you too Baern, you are the only general in Eraas who knows of this. If this knowledge leaves this place and reaches Daegon, he could alter the spell to a much darker reality that none of us would be capable of removing." As he finishes his speech a runic circle of greenish blue flame erupts from the floor. The 10ft radius circle is covered in runes that glow with flickering flames that dance along the edges 4 inches high. "Step inside." Varian says sternly looking at each of you. Baern looks over the circle then to Varian, "I accept." and steps into the circle. You watch as the flames lower as Baern steps past the outer threshold and when he stops a glowing circular rune appears under his feet. Zinmaer, looking somewhat troubled steps forward into the circle and replies, "I accept as well." A similar rune with slightly different markings appears under Zinmaer's feet as they come to rest within the circle. Varian then turns and looks to the rest of the group expectantly.
(Let me just say that I was not expecting y'all to figure this out yet. Also, had the orc not rolled a freaking nat 20 he would've died like the others and had Mucor not cast Greater Restoration he would've died from exhaustion. None of this would have occurred so apparently the dice want you to see it now. Well done Gaelin on figuring it out and Mucor for aiding him. Now you must die... ;) )
Aryn still wasn't 100% sure about the people of Traes but she knew the others were spent and if things went bad they'd likely be trounced. She trusted Gaelin's judgement and Mucor's intuition knowing full well Jinara was also calculating in his mind. She was somewhat caught off guard by Zinmaer's quickness in accepting looking at the expression on his face. She expected Torq to agree, she half expected him to salute as he entered. Aryn will then look hesitantly at Varian then to Gaelin, Mucor and Jinara. If Gaelin goes in she will follow.
Gaelin listens closely to every word Varian says and though upset, understands the reasoning behind being secretive. "I accept. There is still much to discuss though." he says as he steps into the circle. He looked over to Aryn and nodded.
As Torq, Gaelin and Aryn enter circular runes appear under their feet. Varian nods at the group and says, "We can discuss the next steps after the oath. We must ensure the safety of the information first." and his gaze moves to Mucor and Jinara as he and Lara both enter the circle on the opposite side with similar runes appearing under their feet.
Jinara weary of locking himself or his companions in any oath, closes his eyes from a few brief moments as the others display their acceptance. Jinara prays to Davara "My lady. The discovery of this evil is shocking. This mixing of magic like this a dark path. I feel the lust of destruction every time we fight these days, but the level of control Daegon presents is both alluring and scary at the same time. Is this path we are about to embark our right path?"
(Jinara will wait a few lingering seconds after Mucor's response. If Davara responds, Jinara's action will be dependent on what she says. If she does not respond, he will follow his companions into the circle.)
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"Yes, we eliminated the western horde but need to meet with your arcanist quickly. Can you take us there?" Gaelin adds looking over to Torq. Gaelin is pretty sure that Torq would never hurt any of the group or the officers but as he listened to Torq talk he couldn't help but notice his disdain for keeping this orc alive. If the drekthar are somehow being controlled they shouldn't be held responsible for what has happened. They might have had no control over their bodies. Gaelin wasn't sure of anything yet but if the drekthar are all under a spell they're just as in danger as those they are fighting. Surely Torq knew that but after everyone they've killed could Gaelin blame him for the blind hatred of orcs and goblins.
Baern looks bewildered at the news of the horde's demise and partially in a daze walks over closer and says, "Okay.... I'll take ye there myself. He'll want to see ya anyway." The rest of the officers stare, some mouths agape as you exit the room before you hear Beladin shout, "Alright back to it. It ain't the first time you seen a badass. I've been stationed here for almost a year now." You follow Baern out to the courtyard and down a path towards a series of seven mage towers. Each tower is at least 150 feet tall with the largest being over 300 feet high. You stop in front of it expecting to see a door only to find stone. Two guard mages approach and ask your business. Baern gruffly tells them, "The Light Bringers request an audience with Varian immediately. They've just come back from killin over 4000 drekthar, do you want to stand in their way or tell your boss to open 'er up?" The mages, used to Baern's bluntness ignore him and one of them casts a spell familiar to Gaelin and Jinara, sending a message to someone. A few moments pass before the mage say, "He'll see you now." and with a flick of his wrist you feel your bodies suddenly lifted and your vision flashes white.
You blink rapidly trying to get a sense of what happened and feel your feet on a rug of some sort. You look around to find yourselves in a large lavishly furnished room. About a minute passes before an elven male enters through a door on the west wall. He is tall for an elf, maybe 6'3 with white hair and blue eyes. Dressed in a fine blue and black robe wielding a metal staff with what looks like strands of blown glass that stretch out at the top. The air around the glass seems cloudy and tiny arcs of electricity dance within the cloud. "I hate it when you do that." Baern says before being interrupted by Varian, "Welcome, Lightbringers. It is a pleasure to meet you in person finally. I hear you have urgent business with me?"
Gaelin steps forward, "We believe the drekthar are somehow being controlled through the tattoos with some kind of enchantment magic. We dispelled this orc's tattoo and he nearly died as a result. Neither of us know what kind of spell could do such a thing. We were hoping you might be able to examine him and help figure it out. Or if you can't do you have any books here on enchantment magic that we can look through? We also would like access to your teleportation circle here and potentially arrange fast travel to Esterlin so we can aid with their siege. That is, after we find and destroy the second horde to the northeast." (I think it was NE, right?) as he speaks he points to the passed out orc over Torq's shoulder. Gaelin's speech is rapid and somewhat garbled together, like an excited child or fearful parent trying to get as much information out as quickly as possible as if every second was precious.
Varian listens curiously then at the mention of the orc almost dying his eyes flare with surprise and he turns slightly to the side but keeps eye contact with Gaelin as he casts sending. Aryn and Mucor hear him whisper, "Lara, we have a survivor. Come to my tower immediately and meet me in the 6th chamber. We need your restoration abilities." He turns his body back and listens intently. "All of that can be arranged. I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am Varian of the Seven. Follow me. there is much to discuss." You follow Varian out the door and head down a series of stairs for about a minute before stopping at another door.
Varian opens the door and guides you into a large circular room with a stone floor. The walls are lined with bookshelves, alchemy equipment and workstations. In the center are three tall beds with white linens draped across them. Standing beside the front bed is a human female dressed in engraved full plate armor with a purple cloak draped over her back. She nods at Varian and rushes towards Torq delicately but easily picking up the unconscious orc and quickly carries him over to the front bed where she lies him down gently. She turns an excited but inquisitive look on her face at all the people behind Varian. As Lara approaches and grabs the she waves her hand and you feel a wave of healing energy pass over you. You each heal 45 HP and glow with a white holy aura for about 3 seconds before the aura fades. "How was he able to survive?" Varian looks at her then back to the group, "I'm not sure yet Lara. We haven't discussed the full details of the events that took place. Perhaps one or all of you can be of assistance in this area." Varian responds looking at Gaelin, Mucor and Jinara.
"I cast greater restoration on him to ease his exhaustion" The minotaur would say with a snort. "After my companion here cast a spell that caused his tattoo to change.." Mucor would say pointing to the orcs arm.
“While under the effects of detect magic I found a small aura of enchantment magic in the tattoo. I used a more powerful level of dispel magic to remove the enchantment and the tattoo seemed to turn to mist and be sucked out of the orcs body before the energy disappeared into the air. The Orc howled in pain then passed out. Mucor prodded him with his staff and used restoration magic on him and suddenly the orc awoke to apologize saying it felt like a dream then collapsed again. He’s been unconscious ever since.” Gaelin adds slowly somewhat taken aback by Lara and Varian’s comments thus far before asking, “You seem as though you’re only surprised he’s alive but not that the tattoo was magic. Did you know the orcs were under an enchantment spell?”
“We’ve tried and failed 16 times. We first discovered the tattoos were magical when a group of three were knocked unconscious by a sleep spell. Since then we’ve been trying to capture as many as possible. However, you are aware the Drekthar are near impossible to capture due to their ferocity and strong will to fight... Not to mention the intense hatred our troops have lends itself to a no prisoners attitude.” Lara says as she examines the orc. “From the looks of it you had to disarm him forcibly. All of our attempts have resulted in the death of the orc or goblin. We’ve yet to try a zombie or ogre. I’m curious as to how this one was able to survive.” She pauses raising an arm or leg and watching his breathing before she looks at Varian.
Varian leads you in further and summons an ethereal bench for you to sit on. You sit as Varian steps over towards the orc. “I assume you cast detect magic at 1st or 2nd level. If you cast it at 3rd or higher level you would also detect a necromantic magic emitting from the tattoo. We don’t know what the spell is because we don’t know the component or process but we do know that the spell feeds off the life-force of the living body it’s implanted on. Once dispelled the magic sucks the life from the body and leaves only a lifeless shell.” Varian says as he examines the scar on the orc’s shoulder. He looks over to the group and adds, “following so far?”
"I wonder how this one survived the magic being dispelled" Mucor would say as he rubbed his scruffy chin.
"I'm not sure what all this means. Why can't we di..spell it from all of them? Wouldn't that kill them all or at least all but a few?" Torq says not seeing any problem with orcs and goblins dying.
"How long have you known this? How many are aware of it and why hasn't anyone done anything about it? There are thousands of drekthar being controlled through a spell and it doesn't make sense unless Daegon is somehow behind it all. But why did this one live?" Gaelin asks getting frustrated with the situation.
"We aren't quite sure yet how this one survived. We think he must have a stronger constitution or will to live than the others we have seen. The short version Torq, is the spell binds itself to a living body and if removed it kills all but the strongest of them. The first instance happened about a year ago but we weren't able to capture another group until 3 moths later. While this secret has been known for a while, so much is unknown about it that it hasn't been shared with many. Only magi of the seven and a very select few clerics have been granted this knowledge. We fear that if this information leak reached the drekthar, they could change strategies and spells negating our research. We hope that this orc, the first to survive can give us greater insight to how and what this spell came to be." As Varian speaks the restorative spells begin to take effect and the orc jerks upright breathing heavily, confused and anxious.
"What...am I doing... here? Who... are.. you?" the orc questions in partially broken common. Before you can react Lara releases a spell and the orc's attitude shifts to calm and relaxed. Varian slowly moves closer arms raised and softly says something in orcish. The orc looks down at his missing hand and around the room before locking eyes with Aryn. Instead of fear or hate you only see regret in his eyes as Lara lies him on his back. Varian casts a spell familiar to Jinara, (Detect Thoughts) and begins a series of questions in orcish. Varian calls forth a magical piece of parchment and quill and begins to write down notes as he occasionally converses with Lara and sends a few messages to unknown recipients. Over the course of the next 10 minutes Varian and Lara discuss and take notes as books are brought to the room and left at the door. With each book delivered a ethereal hand grasp and brings the book over to Varian who looks through it and sets it on a nearby table making more notes.
(If any spells are attempt to be cast they are immediately dispelled. You aren't sure if Varian is subtly counterspelling or if there is some kind of abjuration magic at hand.)
Another 5-10 minutes goes by before you see him walk away from the orc and books to come address you. "I apologize for the wait. The last 17 minutes have been crucial to our research. I'm not positive yet but I believe Daegon has either created or re-discovered a method to merge two types of spells and in term create a new spell that has properties from both. While creating a spell is nothing new to well trained and master arcanists, being able to blend separate magics is wholely unknown. From what I've seen of the process it looks as though Daegon created a spell similar to Geas and Negative Energy Flood. The ritual I watched in the orc's memory of the tattoo had elements of both spells but was also a different spell in itself."
Varian pauses for a moment thinking to himself before continuing, "This is all just a theory but finding this information will allow us a better understanding of how to remove it safely. I think you'll come to see that the drekthar are simply pawns in a much larger scheme. Until our research is complete though we will have to continue fighting the war as we have been. You are all now aware of this knowledge and must take the oath or you will not be allowed to leave this tower alive. That includes you too Baern, you are the only general in Eraas who knows of this. If this knowledge leaves this place and reaches Daegon, he could alter the spell to a much darker reality that none of us would be capable of removing." As he finishes his speech a runic circle of greenish blue flame erupts from the floor. The 10ft radius circle is covered in runes that glow with flickering flames that dance along the edges 4 inches high. "Step inside." Varian says sternly looking at each of you. Baern looks over the circle then to Varian, "I accept." and steps into the circle. You watch as the flames lower as Baern steps past the outer threshold and when he stops a glowing circular rune appears under his feet. Zinmaer, looking somewhat troubled steps forward into the circle and replies, "I accept as well." A similar rune with slightly different markings appears under Zinmaer's feet as they come to rest within the circle. Varian then turns and looks to the rest of the group expectantly.
(Let me just say that I was not expecting y'all to figure this out yet. Also, had the orc not rolled a freaking nat 20 he would've died like the others and had Mucor not cast Greater Restoration he would've died from exhaustion. None of this would have occurred so apparently the dice want you to see it now. Well done Gaelin on figuring it out and Mucor for aiding him. Now you must die... ;) )
Torq watches general Baern walk into the circle unharmed and follows suit as a good soldier would. "I'll have some questions later but I accept."
(Way to go guys! We must be victorious.)
Aryn still wasn't 100% sure about the people of Traes but she knew the others were spent and if things went bad they'd likely be trounced. She trusted Gaelin's judgement and Mucor's intuition knowing full well Jinara was also calculating in his mind. She was somewhat caught off guard by Zinmaer's quickness in accepting looking at the expression on his face. She expected Torq to agree, she half expected him to salute as he entered. Aryn will then look hesitantly at Varian then to Gaelin, Mucor and Jinara. If Gaelin goes in she will follow.
Gaelin listens closely to every word Varian says and though upset, understands the reasoning behind being secretive. "I accept. There is still much to discuss though." he says as he steps into the circle. He looked over to Aryn and nodded.
Seeing Gaelin nod Aryn reluctantly walks into the circle and says, “I accept.”
As Torq, Gaelin and Aryn enter circular runes appear under their feet. Varian nods at the group and says, "We can discuss the next steps after the oath. We must ensure the safety of the information first." and his gaze moves to Mucor and Jinara as he and Lara both enter the circle on the opposite side with similar runes appearing under their feet.
(OOC: Would Mucor be allowed to cast regeneration on the orc so his hand grows back or would it be dispelled?)
Mucor would step forward. "we accept" He would say with a snort while gripping his staff tightly in his hand and scooping up Button to come along.
(You would get the sense that the spell would get dispelled currently. If you ask them nicely after the oath they will probably let you cast spells.)
(Sorry for my delay everyone. Busy weekend.)
Jinara weary of locking himself or his companions in any oath, closes his eyes from a few brief moments as the others display their acceptance. Jinara prays to Davara "My lady. The discovery of this evil is shocking. This mixing of magic like this a dark path. I feel the lust of destruction every time we fight these days, but the level of control Daegon presents is both alluring and scary at the same time. Is this path we are about to embark our right path?"
(Jinara will wait a few lingering seconds after Mucor's response. If Davara responds, Jinara's action will be dependent on what she says. If she does not respond, he will follow his companions into the circle.)