You walk up to the spiral staircase, and Hanaphaen bows deep, through you can tell by his body language, it is more for show then out of respect.
You climb up the staircase to the next level in the tree and enter a large room at the north end. It appears to be some type of war room that celebrates Vairae’s martial accomplishments. The walls of this chamber are alive with flowers and verdant leaves. A 15-foot-diameter table with an intricately detailed map of the continent stands at the center of the room. Miniature figures mark the locations of the militaries of Gael Wode and neighboring nations. Statues of elves ready for battle stand around the room. Most depict the same elf in various heroic poses, but one statue shows a different elf, bowing to the other statues.
There are four Elves wearing archaic armor in the corners of the room, there is another spiral staircase going up on the southern side of the room, and there is a small hallway in the southeast corner that ends in a door. They look surprised when they see Akron with you, and they look at each other. Then like the ones below, they shimmer into their true forms, 2 are Devil Magistrates, and 2 are Devil Legates. They bow to Akron.
"My..my lord," they stammer, confusion written on their faces. "We thought you were in meditation and not to be disturbed. Did something happen, what disturbed your mediation, and we will see to it immediately."
Khessa does her best to keep from smiling at the apparent embarrassment and obligingness of the 'lowly slaves' Devils.
'Master Akkron could perhaps even order them to patrol the surrounding area, hunting for adventurers whose imminent arrival he has received word of...' the blonde arcane warrior thinks 'That way, these Devils would be out of the way and we could find (and destroy) the Circle undisturbed.'
Clarac takes note of the troop positions on the map as she passes by. As for the devils, she wonders why they maintain the illusion of being elves while no one else is around. Is is a policy for when visitors are present? Does that mean they regularly host diplomats here? But when taking into account their dropping the act upon seeing Lord Akkron tells Clarac that the real lord of this tree keeps his undead self a secret to some but not to others. Clarac thinks about this while trying her best not to look directly at any of the devils, lest they see her true feelings written on her face.
OOC:
Is the phylactery Clarac senses still upward or is it on this floor?
Clarac takes note of the troop positions on the map as she passes by. As for the devils, she wonders why they maintain the illusion of being elves while no one else is around. Is is a policy for when visitors are present? Does that mean they regularly host diplomats here? But when taking into account their dropping the act upon seeing Lord Akkron tells Clarac that the real lord of this tree keeps his undead self a secret to some but not to others. Clarac thinks about this while trying her best not to look directly at any of the devils, lest they see her true feelings written on her face.
OOC:
Is the phylactery Clarac senses still upward or is it on this floor?
Since her mentor doesn't seem to respond right away, Khessa tries to suggest something indirectly.
The blonde arcane warrior confidently declares: "The Master has received word that a band of nosy adventurers is about to arrive - and he intends to send you to patrol the plant's outskirts, to intercept them - and neutralize them as you se fit".
The tall adventuress turns to Lord Akkron: "Right, Master?"
Akkron simply nods at Khessa's explanation... he may be one of the greatest wizards the world has ever seen, but fast-talking has never been among his noteworthy skills.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
As Vrox reaches the top of the stairs and hears the conversation, he tries to give them a more complete "story" about the groups sudden arrival. He says, in Infernal:
(speaking in Infernal) "We brought an emissary from the Ironkin Dwarves here to speak with the High Mage. But on our way here, we saw signs of foes in the valley. It seems that someone breached Count Glauer's tower, just a couple of days' march to the south. The High Mage did not wish to be disturbed while he meets with the dwarf...privately...upstairs." Deception20 to maintain the ruse
Vrox isn't sure what's upstairs, but he gathers that visitors aren't normally taken upstairs. He's also not sure whether these devils are more or less loyal to the High Mage than Haraphaen was. Therefore, Vrox tries to leave the situation ambiguous so that the devils can imagine whatever fits their initial bias. Is "High Mage Varia" planning to negotiate with Yôht to keep the Ironkin Dwarves out of the war, or does he plan to enchant or imprison Yôht in the tower? If "High Mage Varia" is planning to capture or kill Yôht, is the party facilitating that plan? Or are they naive guards who don't understand Varia's powers and the danger Yôht faces?
Vrox doesn't care what the devils think as long as they let the party pass upstairs. He's just a little worried that when they fight the High Mage, all of these devils may suddenly come to his aid, attacking the party at the same time.
As Vrox reaches the top of the stairs and hears the conversation, he tries to give them a more complete "story" about the groups sudden arrival. He says, in Infernal:
As you tell your tale, their expression grows concerned. They call towards the southeast corner, and two more devils come out from that side. "Intruders are approaching the tree, we are to reinforce the front and go forward towards those blood suckers, seems whoever they are, they were strong enough to stop them." The devils almost looked relieved, like they are finally able to do something, and the others also begin to grin.
They all depart doing a quick bow towards Akron but quickly exit down the stairs until you are alone in the room.
Khessa smiles at both Lord Akkron and Vrox, murmuring: "Well done!"
The blonde arcane warrior proceeds to a quick reunion of this now presumably deserted level. If she finds the Circle, she proceeds to 'deal with it'... If not, it's time to ascend further.
Akkron watches... and finds himself wondering yet again how he managed to prepare basically every spell but the one they need right now (that being Dispel Magic). He's starting to think he should have brought his utility spellbook instead of his blaster spellbook to this war...
"Very well. I can disappear once the circle is dispelled to give you time to explain the real situation to the devils. To be frank, I have no desire to fight all of them, as might happen if they are suddenly freed from their master's will and mistake me for him."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Once the devils leave, Clarac telepathically warns Wetherbee, who was waiting outside, that the devils are coming his way, and suggests he make his presence known to them, but not to engage in combat. Wetherbee takes off and flies in wide circles up in the sky where the devils will surely see him.
"That is smart thinking, Lord Akkron. I hope the devils will see the light and listen to reason, but if they do not, I will happily fight them." Clarac also mentions that the phylactery is still somewhere above them and then joins Khessa in searching for the circle.
Akkron watches... and finds himself wondering yet again how he managed to prepare basically every spell but the one they need right now (that being Dispel Magic).
[[OOC: It looks like Vrox, Clarac, and Khessa all have Dispel Magic prepared. Of course, they can only upcast it to 5th level. If the lich--no, not you, the other one--set up his wards or the teleportation circle with a 9th level spell slot, then we'll be looking at a DC 19 ability check to dispel it! Then again, with three PCs, that gives us a few chances to pass the check as long as we're willing to burn the spell slots. We'd just need one of us to roll a 14, or in Clarac's case, a 13.]]
Khessa smiles at both Lord Akkron and Vrox, murmuring: "Well done!"
Vrox looks alarmed when the devils depart the room. When Khessa compliments them, he says, "I was just hoping that they'd let us pass. Remember that we left Sir Sparhawk, Robert, and Brother Maynard to keep watch on the tower outside." When Clarac says that she's sending Weatherbee to be a decoy, he suggests that she have him lead the devils away from wherever Sir Sparhawk and the others are waiting.
Vrox hops quickly around after Khessa to look for the summoning circle. He also asks whether he should cast Detect Magic first, in case the summoning circle is hidden or disguised by magic in some way. (He could burn a spell slot so that they don't give the devils a 10-minute head start.) Perception26, advantage from Sentinel Shield
Once the devils leave, Clarac telepathically warns Wetherbee, who was waiting outside, that the devils are coming his way, and suggests he make his presence known to them, but not to engage in combat. Wetherbee takes off and flies in wide circles up in the sky where the devils will surely see him.
"That is smart thinking, Lord Akkron. I hope the devils will see the light and listen to reason, but if they do not, I will happily fight them." Clarac also mentions that the phylactery is still somewhere above them and then joins Khessa in searching for the circle.
OOC:
Concentration: Locate Object
You feel a pull above and more towards the north side of the tree
While searching the room for the circle, you enter the southern end and see a statue of an armored elf mage wearing a gold medal and wielding a spear and shield at the end of the chamber. Looking inside the door by the statue, you see it's an armory with longswords on a rack, longbows and quivers on another rack, halberds and pikes. No circle in the armory.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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You do sense something to that nature is above you in the tree
Khessa concludes: "Then let's go up. Come on, let's fix the circle first, then we'll look for the phylactery."
The blonde arcane warrior places herself alongside Lord 'High Mage' Akkron and leads (hopefully with him) the way up, in search of the circle.
You walk up to the spiral staircase, and Hanaphaen bows deep, through you can tell by his body language, it is more for show then out of respect.
You climb up the staircase to the next level in the tree and enter a large room at the north end. It appears to be some type of war room that celebrates Vairae’s martial accomplishments. The walls of this chamber are alive with flowers and verdant leaves. A 15-foot-diameter table with an intricately detailed map of the continent stands at the center of the room. Miniature figures mark the locations of the militaries of Gael Wode and neighboring nations. Statues of elves ready for battle stand around the room. Most depict the same elf in various heroic poses, but one statue shows a different elf, bowing to the other statues.
There are four Elves wearing archaic armor in the corners of the room, there is another spiral staircase going up on the southern side of the room, and there is a small hallway in the southeast corner that ends in a door. They look surprised when they see Akron with you, and they look at each other. Then like the ones below, they shimmer into their true forms, 2 are Devil Magistrates, and 2 are Devil Legates. They bow to Akron.
"My..my lord," they stammer, confusion written on their faces. "We thought you were in meditation and not to be disturbed. Did something happen, what disturbed your mediation, and we will see to it immediately."
Khessa does her best to keep from smiling at the apparent embarrassment and obligingness of the 'lowly slaves' Devils.
'Master Akkron could perhaps even order them to patrol the surrounding area, hunting for adventurers whose imminent arrival he has received word of...' the blonde arcane warrior thinks 'That way, these Devils would be out of the way and we could find (and destroy) the Circle undisturbed.'
Note-I'll be out until Sunday evening
Clarac takes note of the troop positions on the map as she passes by. As for the devils, she wonders why they maintain the illusion of being elves while no one else is around. Is is a policy for when visitors are present? Does that mean they regularly host diplomats here? But when taking into account their dropping the act upon seeing Lord Akkron tells Clarac that the real lord of this tree keeps his undead self a secret to some but not to others. Clarac thinks about this while trying her best not to look directly at any of the devils, lest they see her true feelings written on her face.
OOC:
Is the phylactery Clarac senses still upward or is it on this floor?
Concentration: Locate Object
Yes, it is still above you
Since her mentor doesn't seem to respond right away, Khessa tries to suggest something indirectly.
The blonde arcane warrior confidently declares: "The Master has received word that a band of nosy adventurers is about to arrive - and he intends to send you to patrol the plant's outskirts, to intercept them - and neutralize them as you se fit".
The tall adventuress turns to Lord Akkron: "Right, Master?"
Akkron simply nods at Khessa's explanation... he may be one of the greatest wizards the world has ever seen, but fast-talking has never been among his noteworthy skills.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
As Vrox reaches the top of the stairs and hears the conversation, he tries to give them a more complete "story" about the groups sudden arrival. He says, in Infernal:
(speaking in Infernal) "We brought an emissary from the Ironkin Dwarves here to speak with the High Mage. But on our way here, we saw signs of foes in the valley. It seems that someone breached Count Glauer's tower, just a couple of days' march to the south. The High Mage did not wish to be disturbed while he meets with the dwarf...privately...upstairs."
Deception 20 to maintain the ruse
Vrox isn't sure what's upstairs, but he gathers that visitors aren't normally taken upstairs. He's also not sure whether these devils are more or less loyal to the High Mage than Haraphaen was. Therefore, Vrox tries to leave the situation ambiguous so that the devils can imagine whatever fits their initial bias. Is "High Mage Varia" planning to negotiate with Yôht to keep the Ironkin Dwarves out of the war, or does he plan to enchant or imprison Yôht in the tower? If "High Mage Varia" is planning to capture or kill Yôht, is the party facilitating that plan? Or are they naive guards who don't understand Varia's powers and the danger Yôht faces?
Vrox doesn't care what the devils think as long as they let the party pass upstairs. He's just a little worried that when they fight the High Mage, all of these devils may suddenly come to his aid, attacking the party at the same time.
[[OOC: Recording the deception check here since fixing the formatting in the previous post will probably create a re-roll.]]
As you tell your tale, their expression grows concerned. They call towards the southeast corner, and two more devils come out from that side. "Intruders are approaching the tree, we are to reinforce the front and go forward towards those blood suckers, seems whoever they are, they were strong enough to stop them." The devils almost looked relieved, like they are finally able to do something, and the others also begin to grin.
They all depart doing a quick bow towards Akron but quickly exit down the stairs until you are alone in the room.
Khessa smiles at both Lord Akkron and Vrox, murmuring: "Well done!"
The blonde arcane warrior proceeds to a quick reunion of this now presumably deserted level. If she finds the Circle, she proceeds to 'deal with it'... If not, it's time to ascend further.
Akkron watches... and finds himself wondering yet again how he managed to prepare basically every spell but the one they need right now (that being Dispel Magic). He's starting to think he should have brought his utility spellbook instead of his blaster spellbook to this war...
"Very well. I can disappear once the circle is dispelled to give you time to explain the real situation to the devils. To be frank, I have no desire to fight all of them, as might happen if they are suddenly freed from their master's will and mistake me for him."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Once the devils leave, Clarac telepathically warns Wetherbee, who was waiting outside, that the devils are coming his way, and suggests he make his presence known to them, but not to engage in combat. Wetherbee takes off and flies in wide circles up in the sky where the devils will surely see him.
"That is smart thinking, Lord Akkron. I hope the devils will see the light and listen to reason, but if they do not, I will happily fight them." Clarac also mentions that the phylactery is still somewhere above them and then joins Khessa in searching for the circle.
OOC:
Concentration: Locate Object
[[OOC: It looks like Vrox, Clarac, and Khessa all have Dispel Magic prepared. Of course, they can only upcast it to 5th level. If the lich--no, not you, the other one--set up his wards or the teleportation circle with a 9th level spell slot, then we'll be looking at a DC 19 ability check to dispel it! Then again, with three PCs, that gives us a few chances to pass the check as long as we're willing to burn the spell slots. We'd just need one of us to roll a 14, or in Clarac's case, a 13.]]
Vrox looks alarmed when the devils depart the room. When Khessa compliments them, he says, "I was just hoping that they'd let us pass. Remember that we left Sir Sparhawk, Robert, and Brother Maynard to keep watch on the tower outside." When Clarac says that she's sending Weatherbee to be a decoy, he suggests that she have him lead the devils away from wherever Sir Sparhawk and the others are waiting.
Vrox hops quickly around after Khessa to look for the summoning circle. He also asks whether he should cast Detect Magic first, in case the summoning circle is hidden or disguised by magic in some way. (He could burn a spell slot so that they don't give the devils a 10-minute head start.)
Perception 26, advantage from Sentinel Shield
You feel a pull above and more towards the north side of the tree
While searching the room for the circle, you enter the southern end and see a statue of an armored elf mage wearing a gold medal and wielding a spear and shield at the end of the chamber. Looking inside the door by the statue, you see it's an armory with longswords on a rack, longbows and quivers on another rack, halberds and pikes. No circle in the armory.