Akkron glances at whatever is going on over there and wonders when the servants will figure out they're groveling to the wrong guy... he can't believe he looks completely identical to the guy who's really in charge...
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You catch him by surprise, as he was obviously not paying attention and you find it strange to see a devil embarrassed. He looks over your shoulder at Akron, believing it to be the High Mage.
"I am surprised that old bastard is not relishing how he has bound us to his service. And not a normal binding either, but to the very bloody end and with that damn lich over there, there is no such thing as an end. He summoned us through his circle of summoning, then with that damnable black magic of his, bound us to his service until the utter end, and that means his end."
Vrox's eyes go a little wider in surprise. He says, "Oh?! Trust a Fey to recognize a bad bargain. Being bound to a lich until his end? Well, that's a very bad -- and quite a long -- bargain indeed!" He shakes his head with the sympathetic but pitying look reserved for friends who tell of a foolish blunder that lead to their own misfortune.
He looks once more to make sure he is not being overheard or observed, then motions you close to him so he can whisper.
"Ok, I understand that even you Fey would be a little cautious to hear from a devil about making a deal, but I will make one with you and it won't cost you anything, except my freedom to get away from this place and return to the depths of hell. Higher in the tree, is a chamber for his greatness (he spits on the ground) does his necromancy. In that chamber is his magical summoning circle. Destroy the circle, and all of the devils will be unbound and released."
Vrox leans in and listens. At this offer, he pulls back and says, "Well, yes. That may be of interest. I'll be careful not to speak of it in front of the High Mage." He watches the devil to ensure that he seems honest. (Insight: 21) Or, at least, honest in this part of what he's saying. Vrox knows that even the most scrupulous of devils work hard to ensnare mortals in their deals.
As long as Vrox does notthink that Haraphaen looks excited about luring the party into a trap, he continues, "You visit a friend. You send an emissary to a potential rival or an enemy. They Fey are cautious in making bargains, but we also enjoy and illusions and deceiving glamors, you know? The Seeming and the Being are rarely the same." Having given this riddling hint, he winks at Haraphaen.
he succumbed to the irresistible pull to complete this ritual... and sacrificed his own best friend in the process. And they give us devils a bad rep. Are you sure you want to be associating with someone drunk on power, sacrifices his own friend, and has a dark, evil heart?"
Vrox looks concerned but not surprised. He shrugs and says, "These are strange times. A devil to my left, and a lich to my right. We must all choose a side in what's coming, and we may find ourselves aligned with strange allies." He looks to Lord Akkron, but of course, Haraphaen thinks that he's looking at the High Mage.
Vrox tells Haraphaen that he will try to convince the rest of Yôht's honor guard that they should destroy the summoning circle and deprive the High Mage of Haraphaen and anyone else he has summoned. When Vrox refers to the High Mage, he starts saying "High Mage Varia" to ensure that the devil does not correct him. He's certain that the lich is the same High Mage Varia whom Flute spoke of earlier.
Vrox tries to get the following info out of Haraphaen before he returns to his friends:
If Haraphaen has ever been upstairs, how many floors does the tower have, and which floors is the summoning circle on?
Does Haraphaen know how they can destroy the summoning circle? "Do we just need to damage the inscription of this magic circle? My friends are very strong and could probably pound a hole right through the floor or wall, wherever it is."
Does Haraphaen know what other guards serve the High Mage other than the swamp dryads? "I travel with legendary heroes, but I like to be prepared. Even if you promise not to interfere, what else might try to prevent us from reaching the summoning circle?"
Is there a key or some sort of passwords that the party needs to go up the stairs or to get through the other rooms and doors between here and the summoning circle?
Arcana: 19 (in game log). I'm not sure whether that's high enough for Vrox to know that the party would need to find and destroy the lich's phylactery (renamed to a "spirit jar" in the 2024 rules). If so, he specifically asks about that. If not, Vrox just asks this more general question, "And what about High Mage Varia? A pretty trick if you can get us to release you before that undead wizard kills us, eh? But if High Mage Varia survives, he can always create a new magic circle. Maybe he'll summon you back just out of spite! Wouldn't it be better for you if we could throw down High Mage Varia or forever break his power? Do you know how we could unmake the undead wizard?"
Updating the rest of the party
Once Vrox is done talking to Haraphaen, he'll return to the Private Sanctum with the rest of the party. Since the devil cannot hear what they're saying in the spell's AoE, he makes a show of pulling Khessa and Clarac aside to lean close and briefly "whisper" to them, but he just says, "In case that devil is watching, just look thoughtful. And maybe nod a little as I keep talking to you...like I'm telling you something important that requires more consideration. I'll share with everyone in a moment. Don't say much until I have a chance to do that. OK?"
Then Vrox sits down, making sure to sit with his back turned toward Haraphaen so that the demon cannot see what he's saying. He takes out his pan flute and shows it to the others as though he's offering to play a song. He says, "I'm going to pretend to play. Just listen quietly while I do. I don't want to admit the ruse to the devil until we're in agreement on what to do. Is that OK with you, Lord Akkron?" When the lich agrees, he bows as though he was just given permission. Then he puts the pan flute to his lips and pantomimes playing, but instead of playing into the flute, he relates what Haraphaen told him about the High Mage, his circle of summoning, and the fact that Haraphaen, at least, seems quite happy to stay out of their way so that they can destroy the summoning circle and set him free. "I doubt that he'd openly defy the High Mage, but I think that he'll give us whatever advice or help he can without getting caught. Now...you should all applaud politely as though I've just finished a pleasant tune!" He takes the flute away from his mouth and, standing, bows again.
What does everyone think? Should we reveal that "our" lich is not High Mage Varia? Or just keep Haraphaen in the dark for now and let Lord Akkron escort us up the stairs to the next level of the tower?
"Honestly... it might not be the most practical thing to do... but the less people I have to lie to the easier things are for me," Akkron chuckles. "And, to be frank, I have no desire to get stabbed in the back the instant that he is free of his master's magic. But... I am concerned about the possibility that he may be magically compelled to reveal our presence if we tell him the truth. I suppose I could just ask him what you were talking about and find out if he tries to speak a falsehood."
"I too fear, Master Akkron, that Haraphaen would denounce us to his true Master if he learned the truth" Khessa agrees. "Let's keep up the ruse, for now... and strip the High Mage of his power over the Devils. Then perhaps we can reveal the truth - and perhaps it will be convenient for us."
[[OOC: I'm assuming that Vrox didn't detect any lies, at least not in what Haraphaen said, but I should wait for @aaggie's confirmation on that. If that's right, then Vrox believes that Haraphaen is bound against his will to the High Mage and resents his service. While Haraphaen would probably be happy to stab them in the back once he's free, Vrox feels that the devil will do the minimum that he is required to do to hinder the party until we free him.
Note that Clarac has Zone of Truth with a DC 23 CHA save. I guess she could use that to help us quiz the devil and find out whether he will raise an alarm. But it's a difficult spell to use well, and devils may be good at hiding the truth. YMMV.]]
You catch him by surprise, as he was obviously not paying attention and you find it strange to see a devil embarrassed. He looks over your shoulder at Akron, believing it to be the High Mage.
"I am surprised that old bastard is not relishing how he has bound us to his service. And not a normal binding either, but to the very bloody end and with that damn lich over there, there is no such thing as an end. He summoned us through his circle of summoning, then with that damnable black magic of his, bound us to his service until the utter end, and that means his end."
Vrox's eyes go a little wider in surprise. He says, "Oh?! Trust a Fey to recognize a bad bargain. Being bound to a lich until his end? Well, that's a very bad -- and quite a long -- bargain indeed!" He shakes his head with the sympathetic but pitying look reserved for friends who tell of a foolish blunder that lead to their own misfortune.
He looks once more to make sure he is not being overheard or observed, then motions you close to him so he can whisper.
"Ok, I understand that even you Fey would be a little cautious to hear from a devil about making a deal, but I will make one with you and it won't cost you anything, except my freedom to get away from this place and return to the depths of hell. Higher in the tree, is a chamber for his greatness (he spits on the ground) does his necromancy. In that chamber is his magical summoning circle. Destroy the circle, and all of the devils will be unbound and released."
Vrox leans in and listens. At this offer, he pulls back and says, "Well, yes. That may be of interest. I'll be careful not to speak of it in front of the High Mage." He watches the devil to ensure that he seems honest. (Insight: 21) Or, at least, honest in this part of what he's saying. Vrox knows that even the most scrupulous of devils work hard to ensnare mortals in their deals.
As long as Vrox does notthink that Haraphaen looks excited about luring the party into a trap, he continues, "You visit a friend. You send an emissary to a potential rival or an enemy. They Fey are cautious in making bargains, but we also enjoy and illusions and deceiving glamors, you know? The Seeming and the Being are rarely the same." Having given this riddling hint, he winks at Haraphaen.
he succumbed to the irresistible pull to complete this ritual... and sacrificed his own best friend in the process. And they give us devils a bad rep. Are you sure you want to be associating with someone drunk on power, sacrifices his own friend, and has a dark, evil heart?"
Vrox looks concerned but not surprised. He shrugs and says, "These are strange times. A devil to my left, and a lich to my right. We must all choose a side in what's coming, and we may find ourselves aligned with strange allies." He looks to Lord Akkron, but of course, Haraphaen thinks that he's looking at the High Mage.
The devil is sincere as it is not happy in his present situation.
Vrox tells Haraphaen that he will try to convince the rest of Yôht's honor guard that they should destroy the summoning circle and deprive the High Mage of Haraphaen and anyone else he has summoned. When Vrox refers to the High Mage, he starts saying "High Mage Varia" to ensure that the devil does not correct him. He's certain that the lich is the same High Mage Varia whom Flute spoke of earlier.
Vrox tries to get the following info out of Haraphaen before he returns to his friends:
If Haraphaen has ever been upstairs, how many floors does the tower have, and which floors is the summoning circle on?
Does Haraphaen know how they can destroy the summoning circle? "Do we just need to damage the inscription of this magic circle? My friends are very strong and could probably pound a hole right through the floor or wall, wherever it is."
Does Haraphaen know what other guards serve the High Mage other than the swamp dryads? "I travel with legendary heroes, but I like to be prepared. Even if you promise not to interfere, what else might try to prevent us from reaching the summoning circle?"
Is there a key or some sort of passwords that the party needs to go up the stairs or to get through the other rooms and doors between here and the summoning circle?
Arcana: 19 (in game log). I'm not sure whether that's high enough for Vrox to know that the party would need to find and destroy the lich's phylactery (renamed to a "spirit jar" in the 2024 rules). If so, he specifically asks about that. If not, Vrox just asks this more general question, "And what about High Mage Varia? A pretty trick if you can get us to release you before that undead wizard kills us, eh? But if High Mage Varia survives, he can always create a new magic circle. Maybe he'll summon you back just out of spite! Wouldn't it be better for you if we could throw down High Mage Varia or forever break his power? Do you know how we could unmake the undead wizard?"
Updating the rest of the party
Once Vrox is done talking to Haraphaen, he'll return to the Private Sanctum with the rest of the party. Since the devil cannot hear what they're saying in the spell's AoE, he makes a show of pulling Khessa and Clarac aside to lean close and briefly "whisper" to them, but he just says, "In case that devil is watching, just look thoughtful. And maybe nod a little as I keep talking to you...like I'm telling you something important that requires more consideration. I'll share with everyone in a moment. Don't say much until I have a chance to do that. OK?"
Then Vrox sits down, making sure to sit with his back turned toward Haraphaen so that the demon cannot see what he's saying. He takes out his pan flute and shows it to the others as though he's offering to play a song. He says, "I'm going to pretend to play. Just listen quietly while I do. I don't want to admit the ruse to the devil until we're in agreement on what to do. Is that OK with you, Lord Akkron?" When the lich agrees, he bows as though he was just given permission. Then he puts the pan flute to his lips and pantomimes playing, but instead of playing into the flute, he relates what Haraphaen told him about the High Mage, his circle of summoning, and the fact that Haraphaen, at least, seems quite happy to stay out of their way so that they can destroy the summoning circle and set him free. "I doubt that he'd openly defy the High Mage, but I think that he'll give us whatever advice or help he can without getting caught. Now...you should all applaud politely as though I've just finished a pleasant tune!" He takes the flute away from his mouth and, standing, bows again.
What does everyone think? Should we reveal that "our" lich is not High Mage Varia? Or just keep Haraphaen in the dark for now and let Lord Akkron escort us up the stairs to the next level of the tower?
Yes, he confirms its High Mage Varia that Flute spoke of. The devil indicates by poining up through the ascending stairs, "Three more levels above us. The next one has his war room and armory, the one above that his necromancy room and summoning circle, the last one on top the master's personal chamber. I don't go into there at all, and only into the laboratory when he needs assistance."
When you ask about destroying the circle, "I would find someone who is also powerful in magic and dispel it. You can physically destroy it, but I wouldn't want to be in the bursting radius when that is done."
As for the other guards, he nods and points up. "More devils like me, bound to the High Mage, are up in the armory and the war room. 4 in the war room, 2 in the armory. Can't tell you any more than that."
The spiral staircase going up is open, the devil indicates why would the high mage have to worry about locking doors. As for removing the high mage, he does give you a devilish grin. "I would love more than anything to see that pompous ass finally get the stuffings knocked out of him for good."
Flute makes herself seen, "Sorry, been staying in the background as my cousins and I have been in a deep conversation concerning our two chaotic friends."
Khessa is happy to see Flute again, but a little surprised to hear her conversation: "Did you talk about the Nefarious Duo? And what did you and your cousins conclude? Did you have any new ideas to better thwart them?"
"We here have discovered that High Mage Varia, he who lives in this very comfortable fireproof plant, has become an evil lich" the blonde arcane warrior sums up briefly "and has forced many Devils to serve him. We are about to free the Devils from their bond, so that they can then... 'thank him', if they want."
Khessa is happy to see Flute again, but a little surprised to hear her conversation: "Did you talk about the Nefarious Duo? And what did you and your cousins conclude? Did you have any new ideas to better thwart them?"
"We here have discovered that High Mage Varia, he who lives in this very comfortable fireproof plant, has become an evil lich" the blonde arcane warrior sums up briefly "and has forced many Devils to serve him. We are about to free the Devils from their bond, so that they can then... 'thank him', if they want."
Flute responds, "It seems those two won't take a hint and behave themselves, our concern was, they have become quiet so perhaps they are hiding for the moment. Which definitely means they are planning something."
When you tell her of the High Mage, she has a concerned look. "Did those two corrupt him, or did he do this to himself? I recall he did have a big ego back in the day, but powerful." She shakes her head about the bound devils.
When you tell her of the High Mage, she has a concerned look. "Did those two corrupt him, or did he do this to himself? I recall he did have a big ego back in the day, but powerful." She shakes her head about the bound devils.
Vrox bows low and offers Flute his completed wreath made from the cuttings of this room's vines. Then he explains, "From what Haraphaen, the devil, told me, it sounds like High Mage Varia did this himself. Centuries ago, he found some sort of vile codex on the body of a wizard he had defeated. Apparently, the tome had instructions for becoming a lich. Once Varia deciphered the text, he fell to the temptation to cheat Death, extending his life and holding on to power forever. It was said that Varia sacrificed not only himself but also his best friend to achieve lichdom." Vrox scrupulously avoids looking toward Lord Akkron as he relates this information.
"But that doesn't mean the Nefarious Duo didn't contact him and tempted him once he became a lich" Khessa observes. "Maybe he's involved in their plans anyway."
"But it won't really matter..." the tall adventuress hopes. "We're about to free the Devils he's enslaved. They'll probably tear him to pieces (with our help, if necessary). After that, we'll find his phylactery and destroy it. And whatever role the High Mage had... it'll become a 'vacant role'!"
"But it won't really matter..." the tall adventuress hopes. "We're about to free the Devils he's enslaved. They'll probably tear him to pieces (with our help, if necessary). After that, we'll find his phylactery and destroy it. And whatever role the High Mage had... it'll become a 'vacant role'!"
Vrox says, "It's not clear whether the devils will help or simply vanish back to their own realm once they're free." He shrugs, indicating that he thinks that the party can handle High Mage Varia themselves. "The summoning circle is on the 3rd floor," Vrox reminds everyone, "but if the lich keeps his phylactery in the tower, I guess it'll be hidden in his own personal chambers up on the 4th floor or maybe even in a hidden floor that only he knows how to access."
Khessa is also convinced that the party can defeat the High Mage without involving the Devils - but she also believes that resentful Devils don't just disappear... but do their best to show their resentment.
Anyway, the blonde arcane warrior suggests: "Well, let's start with the circle, since we know where it is... and besides, if the master of the house returns early, at least he won't be able to count on the Devils! Then we'll search for the phylactery - whose location we don't know yet."
"I... would very much appreciate if they realize that I am not their master before they are freed,"Akkron mutters dryly. "But perhaps after we have gotten to the circle, so we don't have to fight our way to it."
Tyekanik stands and stretches. He looks moderately annoyed after all of the sitting and talking. He looks around at the group and asks, "So, we're go up to smash some things now?"
Flute looks at the group, "Why not just tell the devil that Akron here is not the high mage, maybe that will convince him to be more helpful if he knows we're going to help him get even."
Clarac listens to the discussion. She is hesitant about working with devils, but merely separating them from their summoner probably wouldn't hurt. Indeed, they would likely do more damage under a lich's direction. They might even go back to hell once freed, and if not, Clarac could always send them there herself.
When Vrox and Khessa bring up the high mage Varia's phylactery, Clarac says, "I will try to sense if it is in the tree," and casts a spell.
OOC:
Action: Cast Locate Object targeting a lich's phylactery Concentration: Locate Object (10 mins remain)
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Akkron glances at whatever is going on over there and wonders when the servants will figure out they're groveling to the wrong guy... he can't believe he looks completely identical to the guy who's really in charge...
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Vrox's eyes go a little wider in surprise. He says, "Oh?! Trust a Fey to recognize a bad bargain. Being bound to a lich until his end? Well, that's a very bad -- and quite a long -- bargain indeed!" He shakes his head with the sympathetic but pitying look reserved for friends who tell of a foolish blunder that lead to their own misfortune.
Vrox leans in and listens. At this offer, he pulls back and says, "Well, yes. That may be of interest. I'll be careful not to speak of it in front of the High Mage." He watches the devil to ensure that he seems honest. (Insight: 21) Or, at least, honest in this part of what he's saying. Vrox knows that even the most scrupulous of devils work hard to ensnare mortals in their deals.
As long as Vrox does notthink that Haraphaen looks excited about luring the party into a trap, he continues, "You visit a friend. You send an emissary to a potential rival or an enemy. They Fey are cautious in making bargains, but we also enjoy and illusions and deceiving glamors, you know? The Seeming and the Being are rarely the same." Having given this riddling hint, he winks at Haraphaen.
Vrox looks concerned but not surprised. He shrugs and says, "These are strange times. A devil to my left, and a lich to my right. We must all choose a side in what's coming, and we may find ourselves aligned with strange allies." He looks to Lord Akkron, but of course, Haraphaen thinks that he's looking at the High Mage.
Talking to Haraphaen
Vrox tells Haraphaen that he will try to convince the rest of Yôht's honor guard that they should destroy the summoning circle and deprive the High Mage of Haraphaen and anyone else he has summoned. When Vrox refers to the High Mage, he starts saying "High Mage Varia" to ensure that the devil does not correct him. He's certain that the lich is the same High Mage Varia whom Flute spoke of earlier.
Vrox tries to get the following info out of Haraphaen before he returns to his friends:
"Do we just need to damage the inscription of this magic circle? My friends are very strong and could probably pound a hole right through the floor or wall, wherever it is."
"I travel with legendary heroes, but I like to be prepared. Even if you promise not to interfere, what else might try to prevent us from reaching the summoning circle?"
Updating the rest of the party
Once Vrox is done talking to Haraphaen, he'll return to the Private Sanctum with the rest of the party. Since the devil cannot hear what they're saying in the spell's AoE, he makes a show of pulling Khessa and Clarac aside to lean close and briefly "whisper" to them, but he just says, "In case that devil is watching, just look thoughtful. And maybe nod a little as I keep talking to you...like I'm telling you something important that requires more consideration. I'll share with everyone in a moment. Don't say much until I have a chance to do that. OK?"
Then Vrox sits down, making sure to sit with his back turned toward Haraphaen so that the demon cannot see what he's saying. He takes out his pan flute and shows it to the others as though he's offering to play a song. He says, "I'm going to pretend to play. Just listen quietly while I do. I don't want to admit the ruse to the devil until we're in agreement on what to do. Is that OK with you, Lord Akkron?" When the lich agrees, he bows as though he was just given permission. Then he puts the pan flute to his lips and pantomimes playing, but instead of playing into the flute, he relates what Haraphaen told him about the High Mage, his circle of summoning, and the fact that Haraphaen, at least, seems quite happy to stay out of their way so that they can destroy the summoning circle and set him free. "I doubt that he'd openly defy the High Mage, but I think that he'll give us whatever advice or help he can without getting caught. Now...you should all applaud politely as though I've just finished a pleasant tune!" He takes the flute away from his mouth and, standing, bows again.
What does everyone think? Should we reveal that "our" lich is not High Mage Varia? Or just keep Haraphaen in the dark for now and let Lord Akkron escort us up the stairs to the next level of the tower?
Akkron sighs.
"Honestly... it might not be the most practical thing to do... but the less people I have to lie to the easier things are for me," Akkron chuckles. "And, to be frank, I have no desire to get stabbed in the back the instant that he is free of his master's magic. But... I am concerned about the possibility that he may be magically compelled to reveal our presence if we tell him the truth. I suppose I could just ask him what you were talking about and find out if he tries to speak a falsehood."
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"I too fear, Master Akkron, that Haraphaen would denounce us to his true Master if he learned the truth" Khessa agrees. "Let's keep up the ruse, for now... and strip the High Mage of his power over the Devils. Then perhaps we can reveal the truth - and perhaps it will be convenient for us."
[[OOC: I'm assuming that Vrox didn't detect any lies, at least not in what Haraphaen said, but I should wait for @aaggie's confirmation on that. If that's right, then Vrox believes that Haraphaen is bound against his will to the High Mage and resents his service. While Haraphaen would probably be happy to stab them in the back once he's free, Vrox feels that the devil will do the minimum that he is required to do to hinder the party until we free him.
Note that Clarac has Zone of Truth with a DC 23 CHA save. I guess she could use that to help us quiz the devil and find out whether he will raise an alarm. But it's a difficult spell to use well, and devils may be good at hiding the truth. YMMV.]]
The devil is sincere as it is not happy in his present situation.
Yes, he confirms its High Mage Varia that Flute spoke of. The devil indicates by poining up through the ascending stairs, "Three more levels above us. The next one has his war room and armory, the one above that his necromancy room and summoning circle, the last one on top the master's personal chamber. I don't go into there at all, and only into the laboratory when he needs assistance."
When you ask about destroying the circle, "I would find someone who is also powerful in magic and dispel it. You can physically destroy it, but I wouldn't want to be in the bursting radius when that is done."
As for the other guards, he nods and points up. "More devils like me, bound to the High Mage, are up in the armory and the war room. 4 in the war room, 2 in the armory. Can't tell you any more than that."
The spiral staircase going up is open, the devil indicates why would the high mage have to worry about locking doors. As for removing the high mage, he does give you a devilish grin. "I would love more than anything to see that pompous ass finally get the stuffings knocked out of him for good."
Flute makes herself seen, "Sorry, been staying in the background as my cousins and I have been in a deep conversation concerning our two chaotic friends."
Khessa is happy to see Flute again, but a little surprised to hear her conversation: "Did you talk about the Nefarious Duo? And what did you and your cousins conclude? Did you have any new ideas to better thwart them?"
"We here have discovered that High Mage Varia, he who lives in this very comfortable fireproof plant, has become an evil lich" the blonde arcane warrior sums up briefly "and has forced many Devils to serve him. We are about to free the Devils from their bond, so that they can then... 'thank him', if they want."
Flute responds, "It seems those two won't take a hint and behave themselves, our concern was, they have become quiet so perhaps they are hiding for the moment. Which definitely means they are planning something."
When you tell her of the High Mage, she has a concerned look. "Did those two corrupt him, or did he do this to himself? I recall he did have a big ego back in the day, but powerful." She shakes her head about the bound devils.
Vrox bows low and offers Flute his completed wreath made from the cuttings of this room's vines. Then he explains, "From what Haraphaen, the devil, told me, it sounds like High Mage Varia did this himself. Centuries ago, he found some sort of vile codex on the body of a wizard he had defeated. Apparently, the tome had instructions for becoming a lich. Once Varia deciphered the text, he fell to the temptation to cheat Death, extending his life and holding on to power forever. It was said that Varia sacrificed not only himself but also his best friend to achieve lichdom." Vrox scrupulously avoids looking toward Lord Akkron as he relates this information.
"But that doesn't mean the Nefarious Duo didn't contact him and tempted him once he became a lich" Khessa observes. "Maybe he's involved in their plans anyway."
"But it won't really matter..." the tall adventuress hopes. "We're about to free the Devils he's enslaved. They'll probably tear him to pieces (with our help, if necessary). After that, we'll find his phylactery and destroy it. And whatever role the High Mage had... it'll become a 'vacant role'!"
Vrox says, "It's not clear whether the devils will help or simply vanish back to their own realm once they're free." He shrugs, indicating that he thinks that the party can handle High Mage Varia themselves. "The summoning circle is on the 3rd floor," Vrox reminds everyone, "but if the lich keeps his phylactery in the tower, I guess it'll be hidden in his own personal chambers up on the 4th floor or maybe even in a hidden floor that only he knows how to access."
Khessa is also convinced that the party can defeat the High Mage without involving the Devils - but she also believes that resentful Devils don't just disappear... but do their best to show their resentment.
Anyway, the blonde arcane warrior suggests: "Well, let's start with the circle, since we know where it is... and besides, if the master of the house returns early, at least he won't be able to count on the Devils! Then we'll search for the phylactery - whose location we don't know yet."
"I... would very much appreciate if they realize that I am not their master before they are freed," Akkron mutters dryly. "But perhaps after we have gotten to the circle, so we don't have to fight our way to it."
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Tyekanik stands and stretches. He looks moderately annoyed after all of the sitting and talking. He looks around at the group and asks, "So, we're go up to smash some things now?"
Flute looks at the group, "Why not just tell the devil that Akron here is not the high mage, maybe that will convince him to be more helpful if he knows we're going to help him get even."
"Primarily due to concerns that he may have standing orders to attack anyone who is a threat to his master," Akkron replies.
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Clarac listens to the discussion. She is hesitant about working with devils, but merely separating them from their summoner probably wouldn't hurt. Indeed, they would likely do more damage under a lich's direction. They might even go back to hell once freed, and if not, Clarac could always send them there herself.
When Vrox and Khessa bring up the high mage Varia's phylactery, Clarac says, "I will try to sense if it is in the tree," and casts a spell.
OOC:
Action: Cast Locate Object targeting a lich's phylactery
Concentration: Locate Object (10 mins remain)