"I am content to stay with the wagon, if it will make things simpler." Melisandre offers to Jek.
The Mystic that Jek was talking to is already stepping away, giving a baleful moaning cry as he assembles his kin to him. The others answer with their own haunted moans, and come shambling that way.
Melisandre took the cart and went to traverse the small village surrounding the Tower, making sure to tell the group that she'll look for information as she goes. She leaves Brevon, Dageron, and Jek to gain entrance to the temple per Jek's plan. It didn't take long for the urRu to begin to gather as the group entered the temple, with more than a few side conversations taking place along the peripheries.
"Our time may be short," One talk began. "Lord Vader has rarely spent so much time here since the occupation began."
"They're starting to build the scaffold." Another went. "Won't be long before they make their way to the Star Strider."
"urVa has been gone too long." One Mystic said as he pushed away a podium on the far side of the room, revealing a stone trap door. "If he is captured, this will be very problematic."
"He was very adamant that they had to be freed. I do not understand the Archer sometimes."
The interior of the temple was very simple. Stone tiled floors, old tattered tapestries hanging along the walls, all of which were purple and gold embroidered and apparently very old. A single podium, and a single book. Braziers lined the walls, but otherwise the room was big, and open, and spartan in furnishing.
There was a rattling in the floor, and then something pushed at the stone trap door. It gave, rising up as four hands with long, spindly fingers hoisted it up and out of its position on the floor, then set it gingerly aside as the face of one of the Mystics poked through from the dark below.
"We were fortunate." The Archer said as he pushed the bulk of his long body up and out of the floor. "The guards were assembled outside, away from the cells. I was able to free all of the prisoners. In good time, too. They were already lighting the bonfires outside."
He looked around, regarding Jek for a moment, Dageron and Brevon, then reached back down into the hole and hauled out a young Tiefling woman, maybe not even of age yet, followed by an old Goliath who was having trouble walking. She was stooped over even as someone pushed her up and out of the hole. There was a goose with a small fellow on its back, and a warrior who looked like this probably hadn't been his first mashup with such a hostile force, followed by a Gelfling man with one eye. There was a Drow, and then a Sheep Minotaur that looked like she'd been sheared for her wool.
"It won't be long before they notice. Probably need to come up with some way to get them out soon. At least from the Temple. If we're discovered, though, I'll admit to fault, of my own volition. I covered the trap door when we left, so it'll take some time for the Imperials to track us here. For now, though, we need a plan to get everyone out."
"We've almost outlived our usefulness." One of the other Mystics said. It wasn't a sad or worried statement; more stoic, matter-of-fact. "He'll be planning to take the palace soon. He'll want the Skeksis out of the way, and when he decides to make his move, the easiest way to get them out of the way will be to slaughter us. I still do not know how to circumvent this problem."
"One problem at a time." Another urRu said. "Our fate is our own. These..."
Half of his four hands gestured at the former prisoners that were rising out of the hole.
"...they are victims of our existence. They're free now, because of the Archer. The least we can do is see them away."
After helping the old Goliath make it up to the temple floor the human warrior makes his way up as well. With his head poking out of the trap door his short hair is visible first, a brown shade and starting to turn grey if various places.
Staying at the trap door to offer a hand to any that still need to climb up. The shimmering lights of the temple reflect on his armor. All the dents and scratches make it clear it has seen better days. Once everyone is up he will help close the trap door again. He looks to The Archer and nods in respect You have my thanks for getting me out of there. Looking around at all the people of different races now in the temple he says in public My name is Hrothgar Densfell. I will do what i can to get everyone out, however i have seen many guards so battle might not be the best option.he says while one hand it touching some recent minor bruises to his face that have just started to heal.
Hrothgar will waste no time standing around and will search the temple for something heavy to put on top of the trap door, if only to slow down any that try to chase them.
I have seen ditches being dug, perhaps the workforce can provide us with some cover. My horse also awaits somewhere outside for a more hasty escape. He will look around to see if the temple has some robes to cover himself and those bearing weapons to not be spotted so easily.
We might need a distraction to lure patrols away, i have some torches in my bag. If anyone has other ideas, now would be the time to share them.He says looking at the well equipped people in the room.
(Concept art:)
To get an idea of what he would look like (roughly)
"Tidings of Light, Hrothgar," Brevon offers. He extends a hand to the wayworn warrior, who seems to have his act together. Brevon is a fellow human, younger than Hrothgar but not a young man, with dusky blonde hair and a sallow, sunken complexion. His armor and shield are pristinely clean, adorned with the crest of the gleaming sun. At his hip he wields a mace with a head fashioned into a sunburst. "I am Brevon, devotee of the Lady of Light. These are my companions. We are on a quest on behalf of the Childlike Empress. We have found our way from the Ivory Tower to the desert. How did you come to be a captive here?"
Time is at a premium, he realizes, but there is a moment to spare for brief introductions.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The dark skinned, fair haired drow follows up swiftly and silently out of the trap door, ignoring Hrothgar’s helpful offer.
He knew soon they would be in direct sunlight, and he does his best to quickly wrap his head in cloth and put his hood up to limit the amount of light. Even still, he had a feeling he would be little more than effectively blind once outside. He begins to listen for the sound of the horses, thinking that to be a vital piece of information that would dictate their plan of escape.
Perception -18
Pictured in the spoiler - but with two swords rather than one and a dark purple cloak.
The invisibility fades as Jek and his two companions finally make it into the temple. Jek was about to go to one of the Mystics, to start asking some of the questions they came here for, when the trap door opened.
[For the newcomers, Jek is a 4ft tall humanoid.... creature. He is completely covered in brown robes, with a brown cloak around him. You would expect to see a face under the hood, but instead all you see is darkness, punctuated by two bright yellow eyes, and a slight glint of a circlet on his head. The only armor he seems to be wearing are an ornate pair of gauntlets, which seem out of place for the rest of his outfit.]
Jek looks to the Mystic they encountered outside, and says in a whisper "There was a secret passage in here? You couldn't have told us that?" He will go over and help people up and out of the trap door (he's surprisingly strong for his size). "Hi Hrothgar, I am Jek Utinni, member of the Order of the Phoenix. . Ummm......" Looking back to his companions "We never really did think about an exit strategy, did we? Oh well, all in good time. We will also need to make a quick getaway once we have what we came here for...and I am a distraction, so that isn't an issue...... Oh right!"
Jek will go to the urRu. "Hello honorable Mystics. We are the Order of the Phoenix. We are on a mission from the Childlike Empress. I do not know what information has come to you, but the Unicorn Stallion has been slain, and darkness is spreading. We seek to unite the Shard of Division with the Dark Crystal. We are looking for the Shard of Division and the Triforces. You have much wisdom and knowledge about the Crystal, we coming seeking whatever aid you can give us...."
As the others speak, or help the newcomers up from below, a large Hobgoblin in the full plate armor identical to that of Vader's army, walks the perimeter of the room. After a thorough examination, he looks to the urRu and asks, "How many others do you have? Trap doors that is. How many ways in and out are there precisely... and is there a secret way to secure what Vader seeks before the scaffolding is completed?"
Dageron continues his thought. "I know only so much about this place and its inhabitants, but while in the service to Lord Vader heard tale of a being known as the Star Strider. This being was said to possess otherworldly knowledge. Does such a being truly exist here? Is that what resides at the top of the tower, such that the scaffolding is necessary? If so, what can you tell us of it?"
Hrothgar hears the others introduce themselves before responding to Brevon
I have come from Hylia and our ship ran into some.. he pauses a moment .. trouble and we had to move to shore to repair the boat. He looks towards outside, They were not far away.
I too seek the aid of the urRu, but it seems i must offer my aid first
He looks the others. Mostly to Jek, who's kind he had not seen before, and the hobgoblin that has not bothered to say his name. Having seen hobgoblins outside he was not sure if this one was a defector or to be trusted. Either way he awaits the urRu's answers.
The brownie slips around the perimeter of the room on his goose. Listening, and looking at his new companions before speaking. "Names Slade, didn't hold much hope for rescue but I'm thankin ye fer it. Ye got a plan to git us all outa this place?"
"We do not speak our secrets below an open sky." The urRu says calmly back to Jek. "There is much at steak here, little Lightless. The Archer and his companions would have been destroyed if they were discovered, and once they kill one of us, they'll surely come for the rest."
The Mystics listen to Jek's oration and begin to look at each other, their sideline conversations coming to a rest.
"We have heard many things." One Mystic replies. The others nod and they glance at one another. "The world is in great distress, Jek Utinni. We Mystics know."
They fall silent and reverent when the Shard of Division is mentioned.
"The Shard...its location has been kept secret for many trine." One Mystic said.
"Many trine." Another mimed him.
"Mother Aughra can help you." The first one continued. "She has much knowledge...but mysterious ways. You need to know, though, that the Crystal is in more peril that once thought."
The other Mystics gathered round and nodded and listened. The speaker reached down, scrapes some dust off the floor, and tossed it into the air while his brethren chanted a deep, throaty 'ooohhmmm'.
An image of strange, vulture like creatures gathered around the Dark Crystal in the same way took shape. The image was only there for a moment, then gone.
"Our lives are tied directly to the lives of the Skeksis." The speaker continued. "With the Skeksis and their Arathim and Garthim guarding the Crystal, Vader knows he has stiff opposition to fight his way through to take the Crystal for himself. But...with our lives tied...if he destroys us...the Skeksis will disappear too, and the Arathim and Garthim will lose their masters and no longer be a threat."
More nodding from the other Mystics.
"We have tunnels that lead all over the city's perimeter, but there is no way to the top of the tower to secure the Star Strider." One of the Mystics answers Dageron. "This is the only trap door here, though."
"Now wait just a minute here, I heard there was some sort of trouble with the crystal, and I know right enough about this bastard Vader, but what's all this fluffle about you folks being in danger?"
Shirin relaxes at the mentioning of other tunnels throughout the temple, his yellow cat eyes darting back and forth from one person to the next as they took turns talking. He takes a seat on the temple floor and begins to sharpen his blades, all the while soaking in the information that was being spoken before him.
Dageron listens to the urRu, a look of satisfaction crossing his face at the mention of more escape tunnels. When the Star Strider is addressed, he leans with a look of impatience and says, "I do apologize great ones, but you avoid details in your answers - doubtless a very old habit. What is the Star Strider and how might it help Vader in his endeavors? Please be specific. Also, if we were to go to the Star Strider first and petition it for help, would it? With a name like that could it not simply swift you all away from this place to somewhere safe? Could not your own magic? Lastly, if you have these tunnels and are so useless here, why not leave and deprive Vader of the your utility as a way to weaken the Skeksis? Do you want him to find victory so easily? You are the second unfathomably powerful mystics we have met in a short time who seem too aloof to their own dangers. It is beyond my understanding, I must admit. Time is short, please be direct and tell us everything of strategic value here."
Listening to the urRU and seeing the images of the creatures bound to them Hrothgar tries to remember all this information as it is new to him. In his mind he repeats the name Mother Aughra.
Responding to the words of the hobgoblin. The hobgoblin is right. If your deaths would bring power to this Vader, why stay. And why has he not killed you already.
He takes a few steps forward starting to pace but then stops
I dont not know what this Star Strider is but it seems it will have to wait, it will not be long before they notice we are missing. We should try to reach a trapdoor that leads outside before they are on alert.
Where is the nearest trap door leading away from the tower? he asks the urRu I will help you reach one and then try to find my horse, hes never left me when i needed him and i will not leave him now.
The urRu that has done the most speaking addresses Hrothgar first.
"Once the Skeksis are removed, the door will be open for anyone with the power to go into the Palace of the Crystal and take control. He wants to be ready. But we do not have a trapdoor that leads away from the city. The tunnels all go around the Tower."
"We would need to find a weakness in their defenses, and in their guard posts." The Archer said, being the closest thing to a warrior amongst the urRu. "Or a distraction. Or a way to escape. There are many guards, and the wyvern. Do any of you have any allies who could provide support? The Khans, when they were routed, they had Luck Dragons. Or a spell?"
"To answer your question," One Mystic says to Dageron, "No one has spoken to the Star Strider in centuries. We do not know what he, or it, is, or where he is from. The Strider lacks abilities, for it is now old and beyond the capabilities that brought it to our existence. But what it has lost in ability it has gained in knowledge. The Strider knows things, things unknowable by those born of Hyboria. I believe Vader wants that knowledge, but for what ends I don't know. I don't think it can help, not through ability at least. And even if it can, I don't know who can get up to it without a scaffold or ladder, or how they would do so without getting caught, lest they use magic."
The Mystics all look at Jek for a moment.
"We haven't practiced magic in many trine...but...perhaps..."
Jek is in shock at the thought of the Mystics being killed. How can they die, they are always at the Tower of the Elephant. They harm no one and share willingly. It is just wrong.
He is vaguely listening to the others, when Dageron's authoritative voice seems to snap him out of it. Yes, they had things they must do, one of which is help save the Mystics now. What the heck is a Star Strider? That's new.....or I guess old. But new to him.
As the Mystics begin to speak again, Jek pays attention.
Jek will say "I have magic, but.... nothing to make people fly. But I can bend the shadows, make illusions, cause distractions. But... my magic will only delay them for so long. What are we trying to do. Is someone going to go up and talk to the Star Strider thingy? Does anyone have a way to get up there? And... ummm.... what's a Wyvern? Is it bad? How many are there? I've seen the Luck Dragon at the Oasis, I can make it appear in the sky! Make sounds of it all around. And I have a new spell I figured out, that should be able to confuse them, at least for a minute. It's a neat little trick where you basically.... well, it's hard to explain, I'll show you all later. And... and.... and...... YOU CAN'T DIE! Who will tell us stories when we come to the Tower of the Elephant! You've seen so much and lived so long! The Bright Lady wouldn't want that! That must be why we are here. We can get you out! I can make really good distractions! We can get you out! ....Right? ......Brevon? ......We can save them, right?"
"Vader is known for his ruthlessness,"Brevon says seriously. "It would be nothing to him to wipe out the entire population if it suits his goal. And they--" he motions to the uRu "--are merely stepping stones on his path to domination."
Brevon walks around the chamber, examining the vastness of the tower. "I am a vessel of the Lady's power. Even so, I have never achieved a miracle on the magnitude that would be required to get all of us to safety. I cannot lie. I do not have a plan. Short of attempting to fight our way out."
"I am content to stay with the wagon, if it will make things simpler." Melisandre offers to Jek.
The Mystic that Jek was talking to is already stepping away, giving a baleful moaning cry as he assembles his kin to him. The others answer with their own haunted moans, and come shambling that way.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Melisandre took the cart and went to traverse the small village surrounding the Tower, making sure to tell the group that she'll look for information as she goes. She leaves Brevon, Dageron, and Jek to gain entrance to the temple per Jek's plan. It didn't take long for the urRu to begin to gather as the group entered the temple, with more than a few side conversations taking place along the peripheries.
"Our time may be short," One talk began. "Lord Vader has rarely spent so much time here since the occupation began."
"They're starting to build the scaffold." Another went. "Won't be long before they make their way to the Star Strider."
"urVa has been gone too long." One Mystic said as he pushed away a podium on the far side of the room, revealing a stone trap door. "If he is captured, this will be very problematic."
"He was very adamant that they had to be freed. I do not understand the Archer sometimes."
The interior of the temple was very simple. Stone tiled floors, old tattered tapestries hanging along the walls, all of which were purple and gold embroidered and apparently very old. A single podium, and a single book. Braziers lined the walls, but otherwise the room was big, and open, and spartan in furnishing.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
There was a rattling in the floor, and then something pushed at the stone trap door. It gave, rising up as four hands with long, spindly fingers hoisted it up and out of its position on the floor, then set it gingerly aside as the face of one of the Mystics poked through from the dark below.
"We were fortunate." The Archer said as he pushed the bulk of his long body up and out of the floor. "The guards were assembled outside, away from the cells. I was able to free all of the prisoners. In good time, too. They were already lighting the bonfires outside."
He looked around, regarding Jek for a moment, Dageron and Brevon, then reached back down into the hole and hauled out a young Tiefling woman, maybe not even of age yet, followed by an old Goliath who was having trouble walking. She was stooped over even as someone pushed her up and out of the hole. There was a goose with a small fellow on its back, and a warrior who looked like this probably hadn't been his first mashup with such a hostile force, followed by a Gelfling man with one eye. There was a Drow, and then a Sheep Minotaur that looked like she'd been sheared for her wool.
"It won't be long before they notice. Probably need to come up with some way to get them out soon. At least from the Temple. If we're discovered, though, I'll admit to fault, of my own volition. I covered the trap door when we left, so it'll take some time for the Imperials to track us here. For now, though, we need a plan to get everyone out."
"We've almost outlived our usefulness." One of the other Mystics said. It wasn't a sad or worried statement; more stoic, matter-of-fact. "He'll be planning to take the palace soon. He'll want the Skeksis out of the way, and when he decides to make his move, the easiest way to get them out of the way will be to slaughter us. I still do not know how to circumvent this problem."
"One problem at a time." Another urRu said. "Our fate is our own. These..."
Half of his four hands gestured at the former prisoners that were rising out of the hole.
"...they are victims of our existence. They're free now, because of the Archer. The least we can do is see them away."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
After helping the old Goliath make it up to the temple floor the human warrior makes his way up as well. With his head poking out of the trap door his short hair is visible first, a brown shade and starting to turn grey if various places.
Staying at the trap door to offer a hand to any that still need to climb up. The shimmering lights of the temple reflect on his armor. All the dents and scratches make it clear it has seen better days.
Once everyone is up he will help close the trap door again. He looks to The Archer and nods in respect You have my thanks for getting me out of there. Looking around at all the people of different races now in the temple he says in public My name is Hrothgar Densfell. I will do what i can to get everyone out, however i have seen many guards so battle might not be the best option. he says while one hand it touching some recent minor bruises to his face that have just started to heal.
Hrothgar will waste no time standing around and will search the temple for something heavy to put on top of the trap door, if only to slow down any that try to chase them.
I have seen ditches being dug, perhaps the workforce can provide us with some cover. My horse also awaits somewhere outside for a more hasty escape.
He will look around to see if the temple has some robes to cover himself and those bearing weapons to not be spotted so easily.
We might need a distraction to lure patrols away, i have some torches in my bag. If anyone has other ideas, now would be the time to share them. He says looking at the well equipped people in the room.
(Concept art:)
"Tidings of Light, Hrothgar," Brevon offers. He extends a hand to the wayworn warrior, who seems to have his act together. Brevon is a fellow human, younger than Hrothgar but not a young man, with dusky blonde hair and a sallow, sunken complexion. His armor and shield are pristinely clean, adorned with the crest of the gleaming sun. At his hip he wields a mace with a head fashioned into a sunburst. "I am Brevon, devotee of the Lady of Light. These are my companions. We are on a quest on behalf of the Childlike Empress. We have found our way from the Ivory Tower to the desert. How did you come to be a captive here?"
Time is at a premium, he realizes, but there is a moment to spare for brief introductions.
The dark skinned, fair haired drow follows up swiftly and silently out of the trap door, ignoring Hrothgar’s helpful offer.
He knew soon they would be in direct sunlight, and he does his best to quickly wrap his head in cloth and put his hood up to limit the amount of light. Even still, he had a feeling he would be little more than effectively blind once outside. He begins to listen for the sound of the horses, thinking that to be a vital piece of information that would dictate their plan of escape.
Perception -18
Pictured in the spoiler - but with two swords rather than one and a dark purple cloak.
The invisibility fades as Jek and his two companions finally make it into the temple. Jek was about to go to one of the Mystics, to start asking some of the questions they came here for, when the trap door opened.
[For the newcomers, Jek is a 4ft tall humanoid.... creature. He is completely covered in brown robes, with a brown cloak around him. You would expect to see a face under the hood, but instead all you see is darkness, punctuated by two bright yellow eyes, and a slight glint of a circlet on his head. The only armor he seems to be wearing are an ornate pair of gauntlets, which seem out of place for the rest of his outfit.]
Jek looks to the Mystic they encountered outside, and says in a whisper "There was a secret passage in here? You couldn't have told us that?" He will go over and help people up and out of the trap door (he's surprisingly strong for his size). "Hi Hrothgar, I am Jek Utinni, member of the Order of the Phoenix. . Ummm......" Looking back to his companions "We never really did think about an exit strategy, did we? Oh well, all in good time. We will also need to make a quick getaway once we have what we came here for...and I am a distraction, so that isn't an issue...... Oh right!"
Jek will go to the urRu. "Hello honorable Mystics. We are the Order of the Phoenix. We are on a mission from the Childlike Empress. I do not know what information has come to you, but the Unicorn Stallion has been slain, and darkness is spreading. We seek to unite the Shard of Division with the Dark Crystal. We are looking for the Shard of Division and the Triforces. You have much wisdom and knowledge about the Crystal, we coming seeking whatever aid you can give us...."
As the others speak, or help the newcomers up from below, a large Hobgoblin in the full plate armor identical to that of Vader's army, walks the perimeter of the room. After a thorough examination, he looks to the urRu and asks, "How many others do you have? Trap doors that is. How many ways in and out are there precisely... and is there a secret way to secure what Vader seeks before the scaffolding is completed?"
(my perception roll was a 9 - it changed to an 18 when I added the picture FYI!)
Dageron continues his thought. "I know only so much about this place and its inhabitants, but while in the service to Lord Vader heard tale of a being known as the Star Strider. This being was said to possess otherworldly knowledge. Does such a being truly exist here? Is that what resides at the top of the tower, such that the scaffolding is necessary? If so, what can you tell us of it?"
Hrothgar hears the others introduce themselves before responding to Brevon
I have come from Hylia and our ship ran into some.. he pauses a moment .. trouble and we had to move to shore to repair the boat. He looks towards outside, They were not far away.
I too seek the aid of the urRu, but it seems i must offer my aid first
He looks the others. Mostly to Jek, who's kind he had not seen before, and the hobgoblin that has not bothered to say his name. Having seen hobgoblins outside he was not sure if this one was a defector or to be trusted. Either way he awaits the urRu's answers.
The brownie slips around the perimeter of the room on his goose. Listening, and looking at his new companions before speaking. "Names Slade, didn't hold much hope for rescue but I'm thankin ye fer it. Ye got a plan to git us all outa this place?"
"We do not speak our secrets below an open sky." The urRu says calmly back to Jek. "There is much at steak here, little Lightless. The Archer and his companions would have been destroyed if they were discovered, and once they kill one of us, they'll surely come for the rest."
The Mystics listen to Jek's oration and begin to look at each other, their sideline conversations coming to a rest.
"We have heard many things." One Mystic replies. The others nod and they glance at one another. "The world is in great distress, Jek Utinni. We Mystics know."
They fall silent and reverent when the Shard of Division is mentioned.
"The Shard...its location has been kept secret for many trine." One Mystic said.
"Many trine." Another mimed him.
"Mother Aughra can help you." The first one continued. "She has much knowledge...but mysterious ways. You need to know, though, that the Crystal is in more peril that once thought."
The other Mystics gathered round and nodded and listened. The speaker reached down, scrapes some dust off the floor, and tossed it into the air while his brethren chanted a deep, throaty 'ooohhmmm'.
An image of strange, vulture like creatures gathered around the Dark Crystal in the same way took shape. The image was only there for a moment, then gone.
"Our lives are tied directly to the lives of the Skeksis." The speaker continued. "With the Skeksis and their Arathim and Garthim guarding the Crystal, Vader knows he has stiff opposition to fight his way through to take the Crystal for himself. But...with our lives tied...if he destroys us...the Skeksis will disappear too, and the Arathim and Garthim will lose their masters and no longer be a threat."
More nodding from the other Mystics.
"We have tunnels that lead all over the city's perimeter, but there is no way to the top of the tower to secure the Star Strider." One of the Mystics answers Dageron. "This is the only trap door here, though."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
"Now wait just a minute here, I heard there was some sort of trouble with the crystal, and I know right enough about this bastard Vader, but what's all this fluffle about you folks being in danger?"
Shirin relaxes at the mentioning of other tunnels throughout the temple, his yellow cat eyes darting back and forth from one person to the next as they took turns talking. He takes a seat on the temple floor and begins to sharpen his blades, all the while soaking in the information that was being spoken before him.
Dageron listens to the urRu, a look of satisfaction crossing his face at the mention of more escape tunnels. When the Star Strider is addressed, he leans with a look of impatience and says, "I do apologize great ones, but you avoid details in your answers - doubtless a very old habit. What is the Star Strider and how might it help Vader in his endeavors? Please be specific. Also, if we were to go to the Star Strider first and petition it for help, would it? With a name like that could it not simply swift you all away from this place to somewhere safe? Could not your own magic? Lastly, if you have these tunnels and are so useless here, why not leave and deprive Vader of the your utility as a way to weaken the Skeksis? Do you want him to find victory so easily? You are the second unfathomably powerful mystics we have met in a short time who seem too aloof to their own dangers. It is beyond my understanding, I must admit. Time is short, please be direct and tell us everything of strategic value here."
Listening to the urRU and seeing the images of the creatures bound to them Hrothgar tries to remember all this information as it is new to him. In his mind he repeats the name Mother Aughra.
Responding to the words of the hobgoblin. The hobgoblin is right. If your deaths would bring power to this Vader, why stay. And why has he not killed you already.
He takes a few steps forward starting to pace but then stops
I dont not know what this Star Strider is but it seems it will have to wait, it will not be long before they notice we are missing. We should try to reach a trapdoor that leads outside before they are on alert.
Where is the nearest trap door leading away from the tower? he asks the urRu I will help you reach one and then try to find my horse, hes never left me when i needed him and i will not leave him now.
The urRu that has done the most speaking addresses Hrothgar first.
"Once the Skeksis are removed, the door will be open for anyone with the power to go into the Palace of the Crystal and take control. He wants to be ready. But we do not have a trapdoor that leads away from the city. The tunnels all go around the Tower."
"We would need to find a weakness in their defenses, and in their guard posts." The Archer said, being the closest thing to a warrior amongst the urRu. "Or a distraction. Or a way to escape. There are many guards, and the wyvern. Do any of you have any allies who could provide support? The Khans, when they were routed, they had Luck Dragons. Or a spell?"
"To answer your question," One Mystic says to Dageron, "No one has spoken to the Star Strider in centuries. We do not know what he, or it, is, or where he is from. The Strider lacks abilities, for it is now old and beyond the capabilities that brought it to our existence. But what it has lost in ability it has gained in knowledge. The Strider knows things, things unknowable by those born of Hyboria. I believe Vader wants that knowledge, but for what ends I don't know. I don't think it can help, not through ability at least. And even if it can, I don't know who can get up to it without a scaffold or ladder, or how they would do so without getting caught, lest they use magic."
The Mystics all look at Jek for a moment.
"We haven't practiced magic in many trine...but...perhaps..."
They begin to regard one another, nodding.
"There are many guards. We need a plan."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Jek is in shock at the thought of the Mystics being killed. How can they die, they are always at the Tower of the Elephant. They harm no one and share willingly. It is just wrong.
He is vaguely listening to the others, when Dageron's authoritative voice seems to snap him out of it. Yes, they had things they must do, one of which is help save the Mystics now. What the heck is a Star Strider? That's new.....or I guess old. But new to him.
As the Mystics begin to speak again, Jek pays attention.
Jek will say "I have magic, but.... nothing to make people fly. But I can bend the shadows, make illusions, cause distractions. But... my magic will only delay them for so long. What are we trying to do. Is someone going to go up and talk to the Star Strider thingy? Does anyone have a way to get up there? And... ummm.... what's a Wyvern? Is it bad? How many are there? I've seen the Luck Dragon at the Oasis, I can make it appear in the sky! Make sounds of it all around. And I have a new spell I figured out, that should be able to confuse them, at least for a minute. It's a neat little trick where you basically.... well, it's hard to explain, I'll show you all later.
And... and.... and...... YOU CAN'T DIE! Who will tell us stories when we come to the Tower of the Elephant! You've seen so much and lived so long! The Bright Lady wouldn't want that! That must be why we are here. We can get you out! I can make really good distractions! We can get you out! ....Right? ......Brevon? ......We can save them, right?"
"Vader is known for his ruthlessness," Brevon says seriously. "It would be nothing to him to wipe out the entire population if it suits his goal. And they--" he motions to the uRu "--are merely stepping stones on his path to domination."
Brevon walks around the chamber, examining the vastness of the tower. "I am a vessel of the Lady's power. Even so, I have never achieved a miracle on the magnitude that would be required to get all of us to safety. I cannot lie. I do not have a plan. Short of attempting to fight our way out."