World of Greyhawk: Company of the Grey Chain

Quote from drumdigby >>

Does anyone else in Pedestal know what Fadheela did with the Forgotten King's bones?

“No”

Xanrym is surprised and disappointed by that answer.  He was sure that Fadheela must have had help in Pedestal to find another buyer for the Forgotten King's bones or to transport them away.

Quote from Painted_Beyond >>

"We can only hope that Fadheela left clues of her doing, then..." Khessa sighs. "Shall we try to ask if there are any clues left in this place as to the bones' destination? At the very least, if the answer is yes, we know we should keep searching until we find some..."

"If no one else in Pedestal knows, isn't our only option is to keep searching this place anyway?", Xanrym says, glancing back into the other room at one of Maroe's scrying mirrors and at the arcane contraption with the crackling green lightning.  Wondering...

Then, panicking about their time running out, he blurts out his last suggestions in a rapid rush of words, "We could ask: 'Is there a way for our Company to get from the Necromancer's Spike to the place where the Forgotten King's bones are now before the end of the day?'  That might help narrow our search.  Or...I don't know...maybe you should just use the last question to ask about your family, Khessa."  

(OOC: Xanrym is leaving it to Khessa to decide whether to use the 3rd question to ask about her family.)

Khessa is clearly torn... On the one hand, she's willing to prioritize stopping the rise of a cruel reptile god over freeing the women in her family. But on the other, it seems the third question won't make a decisive difference regarding the bones...

"Perhaps you're right, my friend," the blonde arcane warrior replies to Xanrym. "To keep searching this place anyway is probably our best bet. And if so... perhaps the third question isn't much help on that front: we need to finish exploring this place thoroughly anyway—either to find the bones, or, if that's not possible, to eliminate any threats to the safety of the nearby Pedestal and gather loot and items useful for our subsequent endeavors."

"At this point..." the tall adventuress turns her blue eyes to each of the party members. "If no one has a question that could concretely help us with the bones, I would instead gladly use the last available question to ask whether the women in my family are still on the material plane or not - in my case, the difference is not great either, but at least it would give me a vague idea of ​​the direction in which to continue the research in the future."

Theldrin give Khessa a nod to signify that for his part, he is fine with her using the last question to ask about her family.  

(Unless someone else really wants to ask a question. I'm going to use Khessa's question as the final one for Commune.)

Avery motions to Khessa to ask her question 

Coriana also nods to indicate her assent.

Khessa looks at each member of the group with deep gratitude in her blue eyes, as if to shout a nonverbal but no less heartfelt "thank you."

The blonde arcane warrior, her voice trembling with emotion, then turns to the Deva: "Are my mother and two sisters still on the prime material plane?"

Are my mother and two sisters still on the prime material plane?

"No."

At that point the Deva's eyes go back to the sparkling blue of before and he get's ready to leave, "Thank you all for your service to St Cuthbert and the order of the multiverse. I wish you luck on your endeavors." He begins marching toward the exit uncovered by Xanrym, his wings unfurling and readying to fly.

You stand in the room, dead bodies on the ground and lightning rods still emitting energy to the west.

Khessa gritted her teeth: OK, it seems her quest will take her further than she can conceive—to other dimensions. But if this must be done... that's what she will do, whether she has to make her way through heaven or hell.

The only thing that saddens her a little is the angel's apparent impassivity... The blonde arcane warrior, upon seeing the majestic herald of the Upper Planes, had expected attention, interest in the plight of mortals... Instead, she told him of a massacre that wiped out a hamlet completely, of her family reduced to slavery... and the Deva, far from taking any further interest, simply offered the answer to three questions—and then was evidently satisfied and ready to fly away as if nothing had happened. This only confirms her previous impression of the gods: 'Too distant... Too powerful, perhaps, to truly love us. They grant power to their clerics or angels—perhaps in exchange for loyalty and services, in a sense 'selling' their power, just like other people sell other goods or services. But they don't love us. They don't care about us. That's why it was tolerated that what happened to my village, to my family, and to my life.' Perhaps a slightly simplistic view—but she is still a simple woman, a cabbage farmer—albeit one who has learned to wield steel and magic. No one has ever explained the subtleties of religion to her. For her, a god woth worshipping should behave like her father, her brother, or her friend... If a god behaves otherwise, then the worth of such a god is of a kind she cannot comprehend.

"I wish you good luck, too, Balthial..." the tall adventuress smiles at the departing Deva. "And don't worry, the next time you're in need, if someone dear to you is in danger, if someone you care about has been massacred... I will reciprocate your kindness of today and will be sure to answer three questions of yours in return." There's perhaps a certain amount of sarcasm in the bow that follows these words.

The next moment, with a sigh, Khessa focuses again on those who, at least, continue to stand by her side: the party: "OK, first things first: let's finish exploring this place, until we find clues regarding the bones or loot useful to us in the future. Where do we want to continue?"

Xanrym is disappointed by the divine guidance, but he again thanks Balthial for lending the help of St. Cuthbert's cudgel in defeating Orinielle and in answering their questions.  "Even a 'no' gives us more information than we had before."  He's a little worried about Khessa's sarcasm, feeling that it's best not to anger such powerful beings, even the "good" ones.

Before Balthial departs, Xanrym fetches the Orcus Figurine and gives it to Balthial to destroy.  He's glad to be rid of it!  Xanrym imagines that the stench clings to him, and he wipes his hands on his breeches.

Hoping that The Company may be able to avoid confronting the Void Necomental, he talks to the Drow and the Duergar, using Elvish if they do not understand Common.  Assuming that they were all residents of Pedestal before Fadheela petrified them, he warns them that they are inside the Necromancer's Spike.  "There are many deadly traps and undead here.  We can help you get out, but please sit and rest for now."  He recommends that they keep the Drow and Duergar in the hallway (S31), under the watch of some of the beserkers while The Company finishes searching Fadheela's rooms (S35 and S33) and decides what to do next. 

Xanrym first looks for cups or a pitcher and has whomever took the Decanter of Endless Water fill some cups of water for their "guests."  If the others ask, he says that he's sure that the drow are not their friends, but he also doesn't want them causing any trouble.  Best to keep them content and knowing that their survival depends on The Company's assistance.  "Maybe we can walk them out of the Necromancer's Spike downstairs later."

In case we end up having to go back to the shrine of Orcus, Xanrym would like to keep the berserkers available.  That probably limits The Company to just 30 minutes of searching before they have to decide on next steps.  He proposes

• Theldrin immediately starts working to Identify the staff that he found in S36.
• Perhaps Syllen could ritual cast Detect Magic so that we can confirm what other items may need to be identified: the serpent-shaped key, any of the robes in S36, any of Fadheela's gear, etc.  That way, once Theldrin finishes identifying the staff, we may know what we want him to identify next.
• They haven't checked S33.  He hopes that it's safe, but perhaps Khessa or one of the others who is still relatively uninjured could lead the search of that room in case there's something deadly in there too.
• Hopefully, at least one other member of The Company can help Xanrym to start searching the rest of Fadheela's room.
  • Xanrym is focused on any other papers that may show what her plans were.
  • He's also looking for any locked chests or drawers that the serpent key might open.
  • Xanrym searches Fadheela's body for any equipment that she wore.
  • Xanrym will also study the obsidian ring and compare it to the obsidian ring that Es Sarch loaned to The Company.  (He assumes that this might be the ring that Fadheela used to get past the room with the room with the deadly necrotic manage at the entrance.)

We'll be able to make some decisions once we know what we've found.  Xanrym would like one of the arcane casters to study the metal rods with the green electricity.  He's not sure whether Identify would work on such an item or whether it would even be safe for Theldrin to touch it.  But if they find other magic items, they should probably identify those first.

Khessa is happy to be helpful: "Of course Xanrym!" and promptly goes to check S33.

Coriana offers the help action to Xanrym in searching.

"Well, that could have gone better couldn't it..." Theldrin mutters dryly once Balthial is out of sight.  He gives Khessa a sympathetic look and adds, "We'll find them..." trying to sound confident. 

He then nods at Xanrym's suggestion and will attempt to Identify the staff.

Quote from werelemur >>

"Well, that could have gone better couldn't it..." Theldrin mutters dryly once Balthial is out of sight.  He gives Khessa a sympathetic look and adds, "We'll find them..." trying to sound confident. 

He then nods at Xanrym's suggestion and will attempt to Identify the staff.

Khessa smiles at Theldrin's confident words and, before continuing her exploration, replies: "You bet! And thank you."

When Theldrin grips the staff, his hands get very cold and he eventually identifies it as a Staff of Frost. Khessa checks the eastern room, dust coats a jumble of equipment and furnishings apparently tossed into this chamber carelessly, Desks, chairs, rusted chains, cauldrons, cracked and shattered glass retorts of enormous size, empty vials of every col Of, rusted weapons and armor, moldering carpets, and more are visible here. She finds about 237gp of valuables amongst the trash.

Xanrym - Apart from the letters Theldrin recovered, there doesn't seem to be many other interesting papers, mainly contracts put out on various figures in Pedestal. Almost all the contracts contain a scribble in Undercommon at the bottom that reads, "Complete." The serpent key doesn't seem to fit anywhere in this room, and Fadheela doesn't seem to have anything on her of any interest. The obsidian ring is indeed identical to the one given to you by Es Sarch.

Finally, you examine the metal rods and electricity, with Coriana and Syllen's help you understand the nature of the device. It is a portal, one that was only recently opened and will close within a couple of hours. Its magic works similarly to the Earth Node, in that you must stand close to it for around 30 minutes for it to work. Unlike the Earth Node, the portal will continue to work for as long as it exists. But again, that is only for the next couple of hours, after which it disappear. 

Quote from werelemur >>

He gives Khessa a sympathetic look and adds, "We'll find them..." trying to sound confident. 

"Well said, Theldrin!  Once we recover the Forgotten King's bones from this cult of Sertrous, Khessa, we will help you find your family, even if that takes us to the realms of gods and demons." 

Once The Company reconvenes after their initial search:

Quote from drumdigby>>

When Theldrin grips the staff, his hands get very cold and he eventually identifies it as a Staff of Frost.  

"It sounds like a rare and powerful staff, Theldrin!"  Does Theldrin plan to claim the staff for himself?  

Khessa... finds about 237gp of valuables amongst the trash.

We can add that to gold and jewelry that Xanrym found in Fadheela's "closet" with the staff.  (OOC: I put it on the Party Inventory for now.)

The serpent key doesn't seem to fit anywhere in this room, and Fadheela doesn't seem to have anything on her of any interest. The obsidian ring is indeed identical to the one given to you by Es Sarch.

Xanrym puts the key in his pouch for now.  He's certain that they'll need the key at some point as they continue to search for the Forgotten King's bones.

He shares with the others that he found another one of the obsidian rings, like the one Es Sarch gave them.  "Fadheela must have used it to get past the necrotic trap at the entrance to this place."  He suggests that The Company could return Es Sarch's obsidian ring and keep this one in case they find themselves back here after the next phase of their quest. 

Finally, you examine the metal rods and electricity, with Coriana and Syllen's help you understand the nature of the device. It is a portal, one that was only recently opened and will close within a couple of hours. Its magic works similarly to the Earth Node, in that you must stand close to it for around 30 minutes for it to work. Unlike the Earth Node, the portal will continue to work for as long as it exists. But again, that is only for the next couple of hours, after which it disappear. 

Xanrym congratulates Coriana and Syllen for figuring out the portal.  "None of the other treasures do us much good if we cannot recover the bones from the cult before they use them to unleash Sertrous on the world!  This must be the portal through which Fadheela sent the Forgotten King's bones, right?  How else would she get them out of Pedestal without the assistance or knowledge of the Iuz's agents or anyone else in Pedestal?  But...just a couple of hours?  That's not much time to prepare.  We have no idea what we'll be stepping into, do we?"

Khessa also smiles gratefully at the bard when he confirms the Company's support for the rescue of Eshta, Yassa, and Larrya.

Discovering the portal, the blonde arcane warrior agrees: "Yes, it will be a leap into the unknown—and presumably a hostile one. But we have no choice; we can't miss this opportunity. Let's rest a moment, then go. On the other hand, if those there don't recognize us, we might as well pass ourselves off as Fadheela's envoys."

"I think we are obviously going to charge into the unknown here right? We can give one obsidian ring to the former statues so they aren't trapped, search a little more if there is need, then continue our quest. I'd like to take some time to gather my arcane resources fully if I could, shouldn't take much longer than waiting for the portal to charge up."

Theldrin admires the Staff of Frost as he holds it up in the shimmering light emanating from the lightning portal.  "Indeed this is quite powerful... it's a good thing she didn't have it handy when we attacked." 

He seems interested in keeping it unless anyone else seems to want it, giving Xanrym a slight grin as he says, "Fire and Ice?"

Avery checks his weapons, and his berserkers from Valhalla if they are still with them.