A loud sigh can be heard in response. A few moments pass before the darkness runs its course, revealing an older man sitting on top of a uncharacteristically large and round dark elf. He smokes a cigarette, and his clothing suggests an air of roughness about him.
"The name is Ingus... Ingus Sorahn. If you still have your wits about you for complex questions, then you must be them. You do look quite different from what that old coot described though, which tells me you are not very good at fighting..."
He finishes his cigarette and stands up, reloading his six-shooter while moving to the western door of this 90 x 70 feet room and ignoring the northern door. "This way, before something else claims this chamber." He moves onward as if he is certain you will all follow. "Talk and walk, can you all do that? If so, speed up. Lisanderoth won't wait forever."
Now that the darkness has faded, you can see straight lines of a silvery blue color running down his face and hands (the only parts not covered by his heavy overcoat). They are almost robotic in design, and change their path through Ingus' skin with sharp angles.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Though able to call out and converse, Yessaris is the last set sight on Ingus. In those first few moments he tries to study the man to at least pin down the species or race. He does not hide the effort, and if prompted would boldly ask as much about it, caring not one Iota about manners. Otherwise, he is following along moreso from the middle of the group now. "Ly-sanderoth. And what do you know of him, or "the old coot" , as you so put? Do you even know why we are here in the first place?" He asks, boarding on the testy in tone. But there was more there as well.
Creature Check: 17 (no bonuses included yet)
(@Lerus: Arcana or nature would be appropriate, then add +9 to the roll. If general intelligence, then make it a +4.)
(@All: Someone loot the drow body. *cough cough* >.>)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Yessaris' best guess is that Ingus in close in nature to Nox's most recent form, but he can't be totally sure. The markings are definitely something different.
"I know plenty about you... The old coot, Eldon, told me about you. Though he probably introduced himself as Sparklegem. And we know even more about Lysanderoth." Ingus talks while facing forward. The group follows with a hint of skepticism. "I'm taking you to him and the others. We all need to have a talk."
The western door leads into another immediate room (30 x 110 feet). dozens of goblins lay on the ground, all dead from numerous puncture wounds. "Don't mind them," Ingus says while turning south towards another door.
The next room (50 x 50 feet) also displays the gruesome aftermath of a battle. The killing blows on the eight heavily armored orcs are more varied: deep slices, bones caved in, bubbling burns, and some others that are not immediately clear. "Don't mind them either. They didn't heed our warning."
The next door leads into an "S-shaped" corridor that ends at a single wooden door. Ingus stops just shy of opening it and asks: "You probably should unsheathe your weapons about now. I am not sure my colleagues are done already or if they are still playing with it." Ingus then shoves the door open revealing an enormous chamber. Its exact dimensions are too hard to ascertain at a glance, but it is certainly the largest one you've seen in the labyrinth yet. Inside, the large reptilian body of a silver dragon lays on the ground, immobile. Many other smaller dragons are surrounded by pools of blood of their own. A montage-like conversation ensues:
"I brought some friends, in case you needed some help," says Ingus, already sporting another cigarette in his mouth and holding a six-shooter revolver in each hand. A large monitor lizard pops out of his overcoat, coiled around the man's torso and waist. It points its snout at the dragon as if called to arms.
"You are too late, old man, as always," says a blond halfling who wears a cape draped each shoulder and pokes one of the dead hatchlings with an intricately designed dagger.
"Your new friends won't be needed. You should stick with your old ones," says the dwarf you may remember from an earlier encounter. He is now shirtless, and his absurdly toned muscles can be seen from a distance. Tribal markings all over his body are painted in runny bright blue paint, and he holds a ridiculously oversized greataxe over his shoulder.
"Leave them be, Baern, they are here to help." Mumed's silvery smooth voice tries to prevent this from turning into an unpleasant reunion. A red whip is wrapped around his waist like a belt, and a tall tower shield adorned with a thick candle on top hides most of the bald man's body.
"Have they agreed to help?" A lean half-elf with a pointed goatee seems interested in the party. He adjusts the strings on an exquisite looking instrument, which sort of looks like a lute but is much shorter and fatter. He reloads a bolt on his crossbow just as elegantly.
"I like turtles," says Sparklegem, popping out of a large slash-wound in the older dragon's belly.
Selrahc follows the individual in silence. Upon seeing the room he just mutters, "Shit." He unsheathes his Maul +1 and looks around for any threat. Upon hearing Mumed's voice he will look in the direction of Mumed, seeking out the group's previous "ally".
The more Yessaris saw along the way, the less comfortable things left him. By the time Ingus had mention unsheathing weapons, the Yuan-Ti had already been in the process of doing so. But to what end is hard to read on his face. Filing in after most, he narrows his eyes at the gathering, eyeing each with a measure of suspicion. Even Mumed is not exempt from it, though the examination is far shorter in the man's case.
"Considering the circumstance we /all/ find ourselves in, helping appears to be the best for both sides in this endeavor. As you can see however, we have been quite as fortunate as you lot." Yessaris says, gesturing to Selherac and Tupoc. "Be that as it may, Mumed, have you and your compatriots narrowed down a path to the original... 'task' you suggested we take forward?" As he says this, Barney slinks forward, and sits before at least Yessaris in a clearly protective gesture.
(@All: Now let's not piss off the clearly probably level 18 to 20 PCs now, mkaaay?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Seeing all the bloody scenes: "Was the drow massacre your guys doing to?" (it was drows that was in one of deadends when we where eploring afer defeating Ooguay?)
"I'll gladly lend hands if it stopping lysandoth wicked plans."
Ingus (blue sharp-angled skin lines and pet lizard not shown):
"Aye, fellow divine, the drows were my doing. I was tasked with opening a path for the newcomers, that is, you lot, while my friends were to help heal you and guide you to the center of the Labyrinth. We hit a few snags in our plan, but as you can see, it worked out in the end. We are all here, are we not?"
Sparklegem:
"From over there, cat man, where else?" He points to a far door on the southern wall of this room (you entered through the west wall). "You were heading south in the Labyrinth when we first met, so I just kept going. Its not my fault you changed directions..."
Baern (lack of shirt and blue body paint not shown):
"Hey you there, three-arms rock-man, why are you looking at Mumed like that? If it were Milo you were staring down like that, I would not mind, but good-ol' Mumed? Keep that up and I'll have a bone to pick with you!"
Milo:
"Oy, what's the matter with you, shorty? Don't bring me into your fight-picking attempts... Xavier and I will..."
Xavier:
"As you bring me into yours, back-stabbing halfling? Behave now; we have guests."
Mumed:
"Now, now... Everyone calm down. What name do you go by now, serpent man? You might not recall my exact words, but I said you would find the truth at the center of the Labyrinth, and here we are. It was not my truth to share... not alone. But we are now all united. Tell me, what have you learned of Lysanderoth and his immortality-gifting powers?"
(@All: It's worse than I thought.. they aren't just badass NPC with PC levels. They are badass NPCs with PC levels AND they are classics! They are one elf away from being guaranteed to take down Lysanderoth with or without us.)
"Riiight. You were stone at the time she learned the truth of that. How did you slip out of that prison? Or was something set in place to protect you for a time?" Yessaris deflects more out of clear curiosity than wariness. Once he had an answer in one form or another, he crosses his arms and eyes Ingus at length as if still trying puzzle out more about the man. But after a few moments of this, he clicks his tongue and looks back to Mumed.
"Sorry. You were asking about our Lysanderoth. Hmm... As you have probably guessed or know by now that there are a number of potent spells and magics out there that alter the fabric of reality itself. Preferring not to make deals with greater beings to acquire a measure of immortality -- which frankly, I do not fault him -- he instead procured some artifact capable of granting a one-time Wish. Now supposedly he had prepared the wording for years so that it would truly be a 'gift' and not unending bane upon his existence. But as usual, a mortal being underestimated how existence itself might push back and twist it all. Which is where we trialist came in."
"In an ideal scenario, he could grant similar boon to others in order to maintain his own without much consequence... but this wasn't enough for him. Oh no. There was a profit to be made, knowledge gleaned, and when his 'gifts' inevitably spoiled, it would be on his head for creating more "monsters" in existence."Yessaris lets out a toneless chuckle. "The last one was a jest, but the rest are true enough. Not only are we fuel for his ongoing existence and toys in the game, but even a single group were to discover this truth, why it would be impossible to do anything about it. Eventually the other -- the true trialist -- as sparklegem there called them would eventually overtake them, and bury the truth. Making it all the easier to maintain it. Which -- unless my compatriots here have more to add -- brings us to a finer point. What do we do with this knowledge now that the center has been reached?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Selrahc gets a nod from Mumed, confirming this is indeed the center of the Labyrinth. Looking around, the barbarian estimates this room is 300 x 200 feet, but he can't be exactly sure.
"An insurance of sorts, against the possibility of you turning hostile against me upon our first encounter. Sparklegem helped with it." Mumed answers Yeassaris' question on being transformed into "stone."
He continues: "It sounds like you learned quite a lot about Lysanderoth. That is good. I am afraid that this is only half of the story, but I thank you for sharing it. The other half is ours to share with you." Mumed looks at Xavier, as if he was the designated story-teller.
"The part that you are missing concerns our role in all of this. Much like yourselves, we are a team. We have been one for a very long time." Xavier begins his tale.
"Too long." Baern intervenes.
Xavier continues: "Lysanderoth was one of us. We overcame various challenges as a group, until we reached the ultimate prize: the Wish. Lysanderoth was the first to step up and make his well thought out demand. We six were the first to receive the curse that is his "gift." Back then, the contract he offered was a bit different. He did not know exactly how to control it, I suspect, and as such, we were given more liberties than he intended in some aspects of it, and more limitation in others."
"When we die, we come back as our old selves every time..." Milo cuts to the chase.
"But our reincarnate enchantment never weakens. We are forever stuck in these trials." Sparklegem reveals the other side of the coin.
"We can't even use that cube your bird friend carries," says Ingus. "Everyone else's door out of this fortress."
"And that is where you come in." Xavier takes back the proverbial mic. "Lysanderoth needs to be dealt with, and you will be the ones to do it on our behalf. Only then will we be allowed to escape this curse and do what we ourselves should have done a long time ago... die."
Mumed picks up from there: "But to help us escape eternal life, you must first kill us." He smiles acknowledging the absurdity of his own statement. "Kill us as the monsters have tried to kill you: all within moments of each other. When you do, the right key to use on that cube will appear. Use it to reach Lysanderoth. Worry not, we will inevitable reemerge from our own ashes."
"Kill him and free all the trialists: us, you, and all those who have become Lysanderoth's pets in these twisted trials." Xavier concludes.
Selrahc's expression saddens upon mention of Bone. "The cube is lost. When Bone... I died it wasn't recovered." (Right? If I'm wrong, ignore what I said.)
He looks back at the other party, "So you've all just been roaming these various hallways death after death? How long have you all been here?"
"Of course it was. Silly woman should've taken the time to analyze it."Yessaris mutters to Barney underbreathe, much to the constructs confusion. "Long enough to create, or have the Labryinth at least mark their many exploits."Yessaris interjects. "We've seen a few murals a long the way. Missed the one with the shepard, but it is of no consequence now. No... not many things are." He says, tightening his grip the handle of battleaxe as Barney stands up on all fours.
"I do not suppose you will make it easy on us, will you? To just lie down and die. Certainly not the dwarf and halfling there, at the very least." Yessaris says dispassionately, but warily eyes the duo. "Though before even that. Are there any preparations you would advise us make? Some other layer to this abyssmal place to reach to acquire some further insurance?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Multiple lifetimes," Baern answers Selrahc's first question. "Only one way of knowing," Ingus answers the second.
Xavier comments: "The murals were our way of showing the truth to the many trialists that came and went, and our hopes that perhaps those early into their monstrosities could still remember. We spread them randomly throughout the Labyrinth. The dice were meant to filter out those who were still capable of rational thinking from those who were too far gone..."
"No way," says Milo in response to Yeassaris. Mumed elaborates: "If we don't fight for our lives, the key won't appear. Another of Lysanderoth's twisted caveats to ensure his longevity in this intricate game of his. He even allows spectators to watch the fights that happen in some areas of this complex."
"You can explore more if you want but I am way ahead of you" Sparklegem teases. "I have had plenty of time to go around this entire Labyrinth and collect its treasures. I have placed them in a few treasure rooms spread around. You have even found one of them, remember?"
Mumed mostly ignores the gnome: "I suggest you at least take the time to recompose yourselves. How about an hour for you to prepare for the fight?"
"Worst case scenario, Selrahc, in time I could reforge another warforged body for you as I did for myself." Yessaris offers off-handedly. "Or find a wizard or songsmith. They usually have rather potent spells for more permanently altering the form."
Regardless of the response, the battlesmith took to passing behind the party, and absently tapping battleaxe hilt against shoulder. "With two of our number have already partially succumbed to the magic, it would be a risk to delay things to go finding these caches. One I cannot say I would be thrilled to take, but-..." He eyes the Xavier and the rest. "Despite dying multiple times no doubt, the experience has made you all quite strong. Thus, we would be remiss to underestimate you, and not bring to bear all that we can."
"-can accept. Either way, a short rest is due. But before that, I do not suppose your gnome compatriot there would be able to supply a map to those caches? In addition, I do not suppose you have any inkling as to whether this key of yours will immediately activate upon successfully completing the condition for its release?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"If you are willing to trust a map drawn by Sparklegem," says Xavier, "you have clearly not spent enough time with the old gnome..."
"As for the key, we can't be sure," adds Mumed. "Though Lysanderoth tortures us with knowledge of it, we have never seen it materialize. Now, shall you start your resting and preparation period?"
Graxx wraps the Belt of Dwarvenkind around his waste at the sound of the voice.(not attuned)
A loud sigh can be heard in response. A few moments pass before the darkness runs its course, revealing an older man sitting on top of a uncharacteristically large and round dark elf. He smokes a cigarette, and his clothing suggests an air of roughness about him.
"The name is Ingus... Ingus Sorahn. If you still have your wits about you for complex questions, then you must be them. You do look quite different from what that old coot described though, which tells me you are not very good at fighting..."
He finishes his cigarette and stands up, reloading his six-shooter while moving to the western door of this 90 x 70 feet room and ignoring the northern door. "This way, before something else claims this chamber." He moves onward as if he is certain you will all follow. "Talk and walk, can you all do that? If so, speed up. Lisanderoth won't wait forever."
Now that the darkness has faded, you can see straight lines of a silvery blue color running down his face and hands (the only parts not covered by his heavy overcoat). They are almost robotic in design, and change their path through Ingus' skin with sharp angles.
Graxx visibly shrugs and walks forward but doesn't say anything.
Though able to call out and converse, Yessaris is the last set sight on Ingus. In those first few moments he tries to study the man to at least pin down the species or race. He does not hide the effort, and if prompted would boldly ask as much about it, caring not one Iota about manners. Otherwise, he is following along moreso from the middle of the group now. "Ly-sanderoth. And what do you know of him, or "the old coot" , as you so put? Do you even know why we are here in the first place?" He asks, boarding on the testy in tone. But there was more there as well.
Creature Check: 17 (no bonuses included yet)
(@Lerus: Arcana or nature would be appropriate, then add +9 to the roll. If general intelligence, then make it a +4.)
(@All: Someone loot the drow body. *cough cough* >.>)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Yessaris' best guess is that Ingus in close in nature to Nox's most recent form, but he can't be totally sure. The markings are definitely something different.
"I know plenty about you... The old coot, Eldon, told me about you. Though he probably introduced himself as Sparklegem. And we know even more about Lysanderoth." Ingus talks while facing forward. The group follows with a hint of skepticism. "I'm taking you to him and the others. We all need to have a talk."
The western door leads into another immediate room (30 x 110 feet). dozens of goblins lay on the ground, all dead from numerous puncture wounds. "Don't mind them," Ingus says while turning south towards another door.
The next room (50 x 50 feet) also displays the gruesome aftermath of a battle. The killing blows on the eight heavily armored orcs are more varied: deep slices, bones caved in, bubbling burns, and some others that are not immediately clear. "Don't mind them either. They didn't heed our warning."
The next door leads into an "S-shaped" corridor that ends at a single wooden door. Ingus stops just shy of opening it and asks: "You probably should unsheathe your weapons about now. I am not sure my colleagues are done already or if they are still playing with it." Ingus then shoves the door open revealing an enormous chamber. Its exact dimensions are too hard to ascertain at a glance, but it is certainly the largest one you've seen in the labyrinth yet. Inside, the large reptilian body of a silver dragon lays on the ground, immobile. Many other smaller dragons are surrounded by pools of blood of their own. A montage-like conversation ensues:
Selrahc follows the individual in silence. Upon seeing the room he just mutters, "Shit." He unsheathes his Maul +1 and looks around for any threat. Upon hearing Mumed's voice he will look in the direction of Mumed, seeking out the group's previous "ally".
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
The more Yessaris saw along the way, the less comfortable things left him. By the time Ingus had mention unsheathing weapons, the Yuan-Ti had already been in the process of doing so. But to what end is hard to read on his face. Filing in after most, he narrows his eyes at the gathering, eyeing each with a measure of suspicion. Even Mumed is not exempt from it, though the examination is far shorter in the man's case.
"Considering the circumstance we /all/ find ourselves in, helping appears to be the best for both sides in this endeavor. As you can see however, we have been quite as fortunate as you lot." Yessaris says, gesturing to Selherac and Tupoc. "Be that as it may, Mumed, have you and your compatriots narrowed down a path to the original... 'task' you suggested we take forward?" As he says this, Barney slinks forward, and sits before at least Yessaris in a clearly protective gesture.
(@All: Now let's not piss off the clearly probably level 18 to 20 PCs now, mkaaay?)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Seeing all the bloody scenes: "Was the drow massacre your guys doing to?" (it was drows that was in one of deadends when we where eploring afer defeating Ooguay?)
"I'll gladly lend hands if it stopping lysandoth wicked plans."
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
Graxx walks up to Sparklegem curiously.
"How did you get by the Shepherd unhurt?"
Ingus (blue sharp-angled skin lines and pet lizard not shown):
"Aye, fellow divine, the drows were my doing. I was tasked with opening a path for the newcomers, that is, you lot, while my friends were to help heal you and guide you to the center of the Labyrinth. We hit a few snags in our plan, but as you can see, it worked out in the end. We are all here, are we not?"
Sparklegem:
"From over there, cat man, where else?" He points to a far door on the southern wall of this room (you entered through the west wall). "You were heading south in the Labyrinth when we first met, so I just kept going. Its not my fault you changed directions..."
Baern (lack of shirt and blue body paint not shown):
"Hey you there,
three-armsrock-man, why are you looking at Mumed like that? If it were Milo you were staring down like that, I would not mind, but good-ol' Mumed? Keep that up and I'll have a bone to pick with you!"Milo:
"Oy, what's the matter with you, shorty? Don't bring me into your fight-picking attempts... Xavier and I will..."
Xavier:
"As you bring me into yours, back-stabbing halfling? Behave now; we have guests."
Mumed:
"Now, now... Everyone calm down. What name do you go by now, serpent man? You might not recall my exact words, but I said you would find the truth at the center of the Labyrinth, and here we are. It was not my truth to share... not alone. But we are now all united. Tell me, what have you learned of Lysanderoth and his immortality-gifting powers?"
((Selrahc doesn't have three arms :( he just looks like The Thing for the Fantastic Four pretty much))
Selrahc ponders Mumed's question, "This is the center of the Labyrinth? Interesting." He will look around. (How large is the room?)
Perception: 19
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
(@All: It's worse than I thought.. they aren't just badass NPC with PC levels. They are badass NPCs with PC levels AND they are classics! They are one elf away from being guaranteed to take down Lysanderoth with or without us.)
"Riiight. You were stone at the time she learned the truth of that. How did you slip out of that prison? Or was something set in place to protect you for a time?" Yessaris deflects more out of clear curiosity than wariness. Once he had an answer in one form or another, he crosses his arms and eyes Ingus at length as if still trying puzzle out more about the man. But after a few moments of this, he clicks his tongue and looks back to Mumed.
"Sorry. You were asking about our Lysanderoth. Hmm... As you have probably guessed or know by now that there are a number of potent spells and magics out there that alter the fabric of reality itself. Preferring not to make deals with greater beings to acquire a measure of immortality -- which frankly, I do not fault him -- he instead procured some artifact capable of granting a one-time Wish. Now supposedly he had prepared the wording for years so that it would truly be a 'gift' and not unending bane upon his existence. But as usual, a mortal being underestimated how existence itself might push back and twist it all. Which is where we trialist came in."
"In an ideal scenario, he could grant similar boon to others in order to maintain his own without much consequence... but this wasn't enough for him. Oh no. There was a profit to be made, knowledge gleaned, and when his 'gifts' inevitably spoiled, it would be on his head for creating more "monsters" in existence." Yessaris lets out a toneless chuckle. "The last one was a jest, but the rest are true enough. Not only are we fuel for his ongoing existence and toys in the game, but even a single group were to discover this truth, why it would be impossible to do anything about it. Eventually the other -- the true trialist -- as sparklegem there called them would eventually overtake them, and bury the truth. Making it all the easier to maintain it. Which -- unless my compatriots here have more to add -- brings us to a finer point. What do we do with this knowledge now that the center has been reached?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Selrahc gets a nod from Mumed, confirming this is indeed the center of the Labyrinth. Looking around, the barbarian estimates this room is 300 x 200 feet, but he can't be exactly sure.
"An insurance of sorts, against the possibility of you turning hostile against me upon our first encounter. Sparklegem helped with it." Mumed answers Yeassaris' question on being transformed into "stone."
He continues: "It sounds like you learned quite a lot about Lysanderoth. That is good. I am afraid that this is only half of the story, but I thank you for sharing it. The other half is ours to share with you." Mumed looks at Xavier, as if he was the designated story-teller.
"The part that you are missing concerns our role in all of this. Much like yourselves, we are a team. We have been one for a very long time." Xavier begins his tale.
"Too long." Baern intervenes.
Xavier continues: "Lysanderoth was one of us. We overcame various challenges as a group, until we reached the ultimate prize: the Wish. Lysanderoth was the first to step up and make his well thought out demand. We six were the first to receive the curse that is his "gift." Back then, the contract he offered was a bit different. He did not know exactly how to control it, I suspect, and as such, we were given more liberties than he intended in some aspects of it, and more limitation in others."
"When we die, we come back as our old selves every time..." Milo cuts to the chase.
"But our reincarnate enchantment never weakens. We are forever stuck in these trials." Sparklegem reveals the other side of the coin.
"We can't even use that cube your bird friend carries," says Ingus. "Everyone else's door out of this fortress."
"And that is where you come in." Xavier takes back the proverbial mic. "Lysanderoth needs to be dealt with, and you will be the ones to do it on our behalf. Only then will we be allowed to escape this curse and do what we ourselves should have done a long time ago... die."
Mumed picks up from there: "But to help us escape eternal life, you must first kill us." He smiles acknowledging the absurdity of his own statement. "Kill us as the monsters have tried to kill you: all within moments of each other. When you do, the right key to use on that cube will appear. Use it to reach Lysanderoth. Worry not, we will inevitable reemerge from our own ashes."
"Kill him and free all the trialists: us, you, and all those who have become Lysanderoth's pets in these twisted trials." Xavier concludes.
Selrahc's expression saddens upon mention of Bone. "The cube is lost. When Bone... I died it wasn't recovered." (Right? If I'm wrong, ignore what I said.)
He looks back at the other party, "So you've all just been roaming these various hallways death after death? How long have you all been here?"
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
"Of course it was. Silly woman should've taken the time to analyze it." Yessaris mutters to Barney underbreathe, much to the constructs confusion. "Long enough to create, or have the Labryinth at least mark their many exploits." Yessaris interjects. "We've seen a few murals a long the way. Missed the one with the shepard, but it is of no consequence now. No... not many things are." He says, tightening his grip the handle of battleaxe as Barney stands up on all fours.
"I do not suppose you will make it easy on us, will you? To just lie down and die. Certainly not the dwarf and halfling there, at the very least." Yessaris says dispassionately, but warily eyes the duo. "Though before even that. Are there any preparations you would advise us make? Some other layer to this abyssmal place to reach to acquire some further insurance?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx breathes in and closes his eyes. Could they really be free of this place?
Selrahc asks another question, "Once we are free... do we go back to our original forms?" He looks at himself, "Or do we keep these ones?"
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
"Multiple lifetimes," Baern answers Selrahc's first question. "Only one way of knowing," Ingus answers the second.
Xavier comments: "The murals were our way of showing the truth to the many trialists that came and went, and our hopes that perhaps those early into their monstrosities could still remember. We spread them randomly throughout the Labyrinth. The dice were meant to filter out those who were still capable of rational thinking from those who were too far gone..."
"No way," says Milo in response to Yeassaris. Mumed elaborates: "If we don't fight for our lives, the key won't appear. Another of Lysanderoth's twisted caveats to ensure his longevity in this intricate game of his. He even allows spectators to watch the fights that happen in some areas of this complex."
"You can explore more if you want but I am way ahead of you" Sparklegem teases. "I have had plenty of time to go around this entire Labyrinth and collect its treasures. I have placed them in a few treasure rooms spread around. You have even found one of them, remember?"
Mumed mostly ignores the gnome: "I suggest you at least take the time to recompose yourselves. How about an hour for you to prepare for the fight?"
"Worst case scenario, Selrahc, in time I could reforge another warforged body for you as I did for myself." Yessaris offers off-handedly. "Or find a wizard or songsmith. They usually have rather potent spells for more permanently altering the form."
Regardless of the response, the battlesmith took to passing behind the party, and absently tapping battleaxe hilt against shoulder. "With two of our number have already partially succumbed to the magic, it would be a risk to delay things to go finding these caches. One I cannot say I would be thrilled to take, but-..." He eyes the Xavier and the rest. "Despite dying multiple times no doubt, the experience has made you all quite strong. Thus, we would be remiss to underestimate you, and not bring to bear all that we can."
"-can accept. Either way, a short rest is due. But before that, I do not suppose your gnome compatriot there would be able to supply a map to those caches? In addition, I do not suppose you have any inkling as to whether this key of yours will immediately activate upon successfully completing the condition for its release?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"If you are willing to trust a map drawn by Sparklegem," says Xavier, "you have clearly not spent enough time with the old gnome..."
"As for the key, we can't be sure," adds Mumed. "Though Lysanderoth tortures us with knowledge of it, we have never seen it materialize. Now, shall you start your resting and preparation period?"