As Darvin, visibly healed, prepares to continue the fight, the abomination refuses to be restrained by Aidwyn's attacks and desperately flattens itself to limit the effects of the lightning... but when the sudden flash of lightning fades, Four Tentacles has collapsed to the ground anyway and lies there, motionless.
Darvin stabs it between the shoulder blades for good measure, but the monster doesn't even react—it was already dead.
Gratz! Combat won! You can act outside of rounds now!
"Ugh! Every room! Some creature is in it!" Roxana says. Since the room is rather full, she's unfortunately stuck in the hallway. "You guys ok up there? See anything?" She backs up a bit to give others room to move about.
Dawnborn uses her last mystical resources to heal herself, after the psychic blow she suffered in order to move into position to rescue Darvin.
They both reassure Roxana. Darvin: "Yes, the worst is over. But that creature seemed capable of frying the mind..." Dawnborn: "Even my ability to open myself to Lathander's regenerative power was severely tested by that monster. Perhaps we should find a place to rest—to fully restore ourselves."
"But this time, we didn't leave empty-handed!" Anita comments, satisfied, upon seeing the several chests - and since they have been broken or opened, she begins to examine their contents...
After a thorough inspection, the ex-Zhentarim shows everyone what she found: 8 pp, 90 gp, 22 sp, 47 cp, 2 pairs of engraved bone dice, 1 gold locket with a painted portrait inside of a rather ordinary-looking Calishite girl, with dusky brown skin, hair, and eyes, with an open and sincere smile outlined by her very white teeth, 1 gold ring, with around the circumference, a series of tiny, interweaving knots are meticulously etched into the gold and on the inside of the band, engraved two 'R's and the year 1245 DR.
"I fully agree, Dawnborn.," Spira says as she comes forward to examine the tentacled monstrosity (Arcana #); adding with a deeply concerned look at Darvin, "Especially some of us. I couldn't get in closer to defend you, darling, but I'm certainly going to tend to you now. Along with anyone else who needs it." She frowns a moment. "You said it burned you in your mind? How? I only saw it trying to crush you with its arms ... "
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
[[ OOC: Just so Spira knows the party's HP status: no one is seriously injured anymore, but a few still show scratches, bruises, or signs of battle. In detail: Aidwyn 5 Damage Darvin 10 Damage Gaer 12 Damage Mival 5 Damage Dawnborn 7 Damage ]]
"I knew you were watching my back, dear," Darvin smiles at her beloved tiefling cleric, hugging her gratefully. "You wouldn't have let me fall. And sure enough, that bad 4ss fell instead! Yes, his touch caused a burning sensation in my head... I couldn't think clearly, it was throwing my thoughts into disarray, it felt like... like he was taking my brain and frying it in a pan like an omelet! But it's better now."
Meanwhile, Mival muses aloud: "I wonder if with this treasure we can ransom Tethis... Or perhaps we could convince the Lords from Below to free her in exchange for the favor we did them with our cleansing work here... My kin would also be in trouble, if these monsters had one day found and attacked them. And we could rest with them—we would be cramped, but we would be dry."
Roxana offers to collect up the coins. "If we're going to rest though - and probably a good idea - then I can divide up what we've found so far. Just give me a moment to count it all out." She starts to work on that, though she remarks about the other items. "Should probably see if the locket and ring hold any interest. Though they look to be keepsakes of the man that used to live here. Hmm, and those two pairs of dice."
"Then let's divide the rest and keep the items for now" Gaer suggests. "If any of them really have any connection to Rassalantar or some other inhabitant of the Keep, perhaps we'll find out as we continue exploring."
"And as for resting with the Lords from Below..." Darvin comments doubtfully. "What do you think, Spira? And what do you think, comrades? Mival seems confident enough to negotiate with them—but if he's wrong, we risk being at a disadvantage, exhausted as we are by the battles we've already endured."
No one seems particularly apprehensive about the idea of seeking hospitality from the Lords from Below, so Darvin agrees, and the party returns to the upper level. Thanks to Eldath's still-active blessing, they have no problem swimming down the long corridor, finally returning to Geados, who greets everyone with a courteous nod, and then to Tethis, who insists on hearing about their latest adventures before agreeing to let the party pass (since Mival, who could still officially be considered a Lord from Below, is leading them).
Through a side corridor that occasionally requires a few more short swims, Mival reaches a room whose floor has almost entirely collapsed, but which, thanks to a newly constructed 3'-tall small wall that has been erected around the perimeter of the collapse within the room, has a section preserved from the omnipresent flooding. In that still-intact portion of the floor, there is an elegant single canopy bed, at the foot of which is a locked chest. Sitting on the bed, a half-elf with long dark red hairs and a short beard looks up curiously at the many visitors and greets them: "Oh, Blossom! You've been gone so long... I was starting to worry. And you've brought company." His gaze perplexes, scanning the entire motley crew of creatures Mival has brought with him. "Interesting company. And large company. Is there something you should tell me?"
"Indeed, Mekkunod," Mival admits, "I have some news..." and so the Doppelganger hero summarizes the latest events to the Lords from Below ambassador—and the request for 'temporary asylum' to regain strength.
"I trust you, Mival," Mekkunod sighs, without taking his eyes off the others. "You're one of us. I'm sure you didn't come with bad intentions. But what about the others? Can I trust them? No," he stops him with a hand before he can reply. "you do not need to speak, Blossom, I've already read your thoughts that you trust them. But I'm not you, Blossom. And I'm responsible for the safety of all of us Lords from Below."
"Therefore, ladies and gentlemen," the half-elf turns to the characters, "it's to you that I turn the question: for Blosso's sake, I might grant his request, but what about your intentions? Do you really just want to rest and then go away and leave us alone? Without causing any trouble?"
Roxana had divided up the coins they had collected while the group rested. (I'm counting 10 folks total - figure Mival gets a share along with all the others.) It is 1 pp, 10 gp, 3 sp, 6 cp per person. She holds on to any coins left over that can't be evenly divided. "I'll hang on to the extra coins and as we get more we'll divide them up."
"Mekkunod, we certainly will not take any action against you Lords from Below unless your actions call for it," Roxana says. "If you take actions against the nearby town or try to assault any innocents who travel through the area, then we might have to take action. But truly, our purpose here was to explore these passages."
The half-elf surveys everyone carefully before turning back to Roxana: "It seems like a reasonable basis for an agreement. Yet, some of you are thinking of the cloak of Thetis, our 'receptionist.' Which is curious, as it seems to imply that someone—either she herself or Blossom—has told you about it. You're not toying with the idea of using this opportunity to try to steal it from us, are you? Good receptionists are hard to replace, you know..."
"Well, I must ask you Mekkunod, who does the cloak belong to? It seems the cloak of Thetis might belong to Thetis," Roxana says as she steals a glance over at Gaer, wondering if this line of thought is wise. "And I've found receptionists that work of their own free will are usually the best. Wouldn't you agree?"
The half-elf becomes thoughtful again: "That's an interesting point. I could argue that the cloak has been conquered and is now the cloak of the Lords from Below, no longer Thetis's. When a country is conquered, to whom does it belong? To the one who conquers it... or to the one who lost it?"
"The free-willed receptionists are better..." he concedes. "But do you have anyone in particular in mind? Because if we returned Thetis's cloak, the next thing you know she'd be swimming a thousand miles away—if she didn't decide to try to attack us with her magical powers first."
"Well... perhaps we don't have an alternative receptionist to offer you, Mekkunod..." Mival interjects. "But we may have also drastically reduced your need for one!" And, piquing the other's interest, the Doppelganger hero explains how the party has done a thorough cleansing of the dungeon's monsters.
"A good point; but losing Thetis is still a considerable sacrifice on my part and the others..." Mekkunod insists. "Is there any other small compensation you could add?"
The two Doppelgangers seem to read each other's minds for a moment, then Mival offers: "The safety of the Lords from Below. That's something you care deeply about. We've already contributed in part by eliminating several dangerous monsters. But rumors are circulating in the hamlet that this dungeon is infested with monsters. We adventurers" it seems the hero naturally included himself in this category "could say we've explored the ruins completely, ridding them of dangers and clearing them of treasures. The dungeon would lose interest for the hamlet—and for future adventurers as well. You could live in peace and undisturbed for decades, at least."
The Lords from Below ambassador now seems very interested and almost trepidly addresses the entire party again: "Could we really make an agreement like this? Are we all in agreement?"
Roxana nods to Mival. "A good plan and certainly one I would endorse. I don't think we can guarantee nobody would come down here, but it's likely to greatly reduce the numbers."
Mekkunod ponders the proposal for a few minutes, then finally agrees: "Deal! We will allow you to rest with us—and when you leave, we will give you Thetis's cloak. And you will do your best to argue that there is nothing of interest left down here. It seems to me that for now you are convinced—but I would like to leave you with a food for thought, to keep you convinced: it is true that if you sent an army against us, we would be unable to withstand a direct confrontation. But it is equally true that we could easily disappear, blend in with the attackers themselves... and then seek our revenge. If, however, we remain allies... it is a victory for both our factions."
Meanwhile, a dark, hairy dwarf and a copper-scaled dragonborn arrive. The two introduce themselves as Numsaari and Droovener, respectively, and lead the party down the corridor to a large room. Access is difficult. Part of the floor (starting from the entrance corridor) has collapsed, allowing one to dive and swim down to the level below. Furthermore, a newly constructed 3'-tall small wall has been erected around the perimeter of the collapse within the room, preventing the rest of the room from flooding. In addition, old furniture (as well as doors) has been partly recycled to build a 5'-tall defensive barrier that runs along the eastern side of the collapse.
The party is large, but the room is large... so by huddling together, our heroes can rest in the dry.
Gaer compliments Roxana and MIval: "I'm glad you managed to get Thetis's release from Mekkunod using diplomacy... We certainly couldn't leave her prisoner here against her will! But a direct confrontation could have been problematic."
While the party is in the midst of the well-deserved rest, Droovener, the copper-scaled dragonborn, in a moment alone with our heroes, suggests: "Look... I don't know how well you know Mekkunod... but if you knew him as well as I do, you'd surely appreciate it if I spoke to him on your behalf. Soon all of us Lords from Below will be returning, to rest... and then, what order will Mekkunod give? To leave you alone... or to exterminate you by attacking you all at once? I, for a modest reward, could convince him to opt for the former rather than the latter."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
In the last few minutes, Spira's face has gone through contortions no one present has ever seen it assume before as she tries on the unaccustomed role of stepping back and letting someone else display their virtuosity in negotiating. It is not until Mekkunod finally 'signs off' on the deal that she allows it to relax into a broad smile, and she claps Roxana and Mival on the back in turn with congratulatory heartiness. "Nicely done, both of you! You might just have bright futures ahead of you yet ... as ambassadors." When he (Mekkunod) adds his final 'food for thought', she turns back towards him again and nods. "True. But there's something else worth considering. If either side is dissatisfied with the arrangement after thinking it over some more, it would be a great deal less trouble for us to simply recruit you another receptionist rather than going to all the time and effort of raising an army. ... Also, you mentioned a concern that Thetis would attack you once she has her cloak back in revenge for her captivity. Now that we are in accord, I'd be willing to try and convince her not to do that. And I honestly do think it wouldn't be in anyone's best interests ... including hers. As some of us have had reason to know ..., " her eyes flick over to Dawnborn at this point, then back to herself and relations, "hate and anger like that ... well, it winds up hurting you the most in the end. Just eats you out inside until there's nothing left. BUT ... " She pauses at this point, to impressive effect.
"She is her own person, and she is of age. If she chooses to ... ignore my counsel ... on this point, I can't stop her. And perhaps that might be some food for thought for you to consider. A REASON why free-willed receptionists are the better choice in general. When you conquer a country, you can never relax again -- no matter how strongly it's occupied, there will always be the threat of internal unrest."
===***===
(OOC: During the rest, Spira will talk to the Lords from Below's healer and/or quartermaster (if they have such persons among them) about buying or trading for the supplies that would make up a healer's kit, using her empty pouch to hold them. Must admit I haven't exactly been keeping track of ammo, but if they have crossbow bolts she'll at least restock to the level listed on her character sheet (20) and upstock to 30 if she can. The other thing she'd like to do during the 2 hours of a long rest that isn't devoted to sleep is to talk to the best-informed Lords from Below ... definitely Mekkunod at the least, he seems like quite a sharp cookie ;) ... about what the party's discovered so far concerning Lombulluth and the fact that that entity still has living and active servants in the levels below. "I at least want to warn you that this ancient threat doesn't seem nearly so dead as it was supposed. And whatever we may tell the villagers of Rassalantar for your safety, I don't know if our small group will be able to do enough to ensure that Lombulluth's power is completely cleared away from the lower levels of the Keep. There MIGHT be monsters remaining after we depart in spite of all we can do. But if we and you share our knowledge we'll have the best chances. Do you know anything about the lower levels? Anything at all, no matter how small ... it doesn't have to necessarily relate directly to the being that seems to have taken them over. You never know what tidbit of knowledge will tip the balance between failure and success." (Persuasion 13)
Mekkunod smiles at Spira's offer: "I'll be very grateful. Thetis was a valuable collaborator, even if unwilling—and concluding the experience with a battle wouldn't be nice, regardless of the winner."
And so, when Spira returns later to speak with him, accompanied by Darvin, who wouldn't want to give up his role as her bodyguard, the Ambassador gladly welcomes her.
And it's precisely while Spira is conversing with Mekkunod that Droovener speaks to the rest of the party.
As for the tiefling cleric, the doppelganger leader also thanks her for the information on Lombulluth: "You are truly a valuable informant! Unfortunately, however, I am unable to reciprocate... We Lords from Below have forged alliances with those we have encountered in our immediate vicinity. I could tell you about the dragon wyrmling Nesurentul, who lives just below us. Or about that simulacrum Seyntillua Vaervenor (probably a made-up name). But we haven't felt the need to explore the dungeons. We knew absolutely nothing about this 'Lombulluth' and its living and active servants. It doesn't seem like a faction we can negotiate with anyway—so now I'm doubly happy to establish good relations with you. Perhaps you will eliminate this problematic faction, to our benefit first and foremost, but certainly also to the Hamlet!"
“No one is better than Spira at taking out dangerous s0ns 0f 3itch3s” Darvin mutters proudly, perhaps more to himself than to his interlocutor.
Roxana moves in close to Gaer. "Well, thank you. It's easy to come to a good agreement when the other side is so reasonable," she adds. She leaves the discussion to Spira, and perhaps any others interested.
Gaer is happy to enjoy Roxana's closeness during his rest taking advantage of the rare moment of peace to caress her red hair; and when she chooses to ignore Droovener, he does the same. After all, the tiefling ranger thinks, why would the party have more faith in this Doppelganger than the other? While it's theoretically possible that Mekkunod could betray the party... isn't the same true for Droovener?
Anita, who in turn had not by chance chosen a position near a certain half-orc wizard and had rested his head on his chest, for her part, seems intrigued... but more by Rash's possible reaction, to whom her brown eyes readily flick, than by the dragonborn's arguments.
Droovener's expression darkens, as his words seem to be ignored, and he coldly declares: "Fine! You made your choice" and simply finds a corner where he can rest as well.
Various other humanoids come and go from time to time - all Lords from Below in one of their favourite forms, probably.
Some of them look at the guests with curiosity but they whisper among themselves and don't disturb the rest.
[[ OOC: Long rest completed! Just giving Spira time to continue her talk with Mekkunod, if she likes, before advancing the narration ]]
Round 2
As Darvin, visibly healed, prepares to continue the fight, the abomination refuses to be restrained by Aidwyn's attacks and desperately flattens itself to limit the effects of the lightning... but when the sudden flash of lightning fades, Four Tentacles has collapsed to the ground anyway and lies there, motionless.
Darvin stabs it between the shoulder blades for good measure, but the monster doesn't even react—it was already dead.
Gratz! Combat won! You can act outside of rounds now!
"Ugh! Every room! Some creature is in it!" Roxana says. Since the room is rather full, she's unfortunately stuck in the hallway. "You guys ok up there? See anything?" She backs up a bit to give others room to move about.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Dawnborn uses her last mystical resources to heal herself, after the psychic blow she suffered in order to move into position to rescue Darvin.
They both reassure Roxana.
Darvin: "Yes, the worst is over. But that creature seemed capable of frying the mind..."
Dawnborn: "Even my ability to open myself to Lathander's regenerative power was severely tested by that monster. Perhaps we should find a place to rest—to fully restore ourselves."
"But this time, we didn't leave empty-handed!" Anita comments, satisfied, upon seeing the several chests - and since they have been broken or opened, she begins to examine their contents...
After a thorough inspection, the ex-Zhentarim shows everyone what she found: 8 pp, 90 gp, 22 sp, 47 cp, 2 pairs of engraved bone dice, 1 gold locket with a painted portrait inside of a rather ordinary-looking Calishite girl, with dusky brown skin, hair, and eyes, with an open and sincere smile outlined by her very white teeth, 1 gold ring, with around the circumference, a series of tiny, interweaving knots are meticulously etched into the gold and on the inside of the band, engraved two 'R's and the year 1245 DR.
"I fully agree, Dawnborn.," Spira says as she comes forward to examine the tentacled monstrosity (Arcana #); adding with a deeply concerned look at Darvin, "Especially some of us. I couldn't get in closer to defend you, darling, but I'm certainly going to tend to you now. Along with anyone else who needs it." She frowns a moment. "You said it burned you in your mind? How? I only saw it trying to crush you with its arms ... "
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
[[ OOC: Just so Spira knows the party's HP status: no one is seriously injured anymore, but a few still show scratches, bruises, or signs of battle. In detail:
Aidwyn 5 Damage
Darvin 10 Damage
Gaer 12 Damage
Mival 5 Damage
Dawnborn 7 Damage
]]
"I knew you were watching my back, dear," Darvin smiles at her beloved tiefling cleric, hugging her gratefully. "You wouldn't have let me fall. And sure enough, that bad 4ss fell instead! Yes, his touch caused a burning sensation in my head... I couldn't think clearly, it was throwing my thoughts into disarray, it felt like... like he was taking my brain and frying it in a pan like an omelet! But it's better now."
Meanwhile, Mival muses aloud: "I wonder if with this treasure we can ransom Tethis... Or perhaps we could convince the Lords from Below to free her in exchange for the favor we did them with our cleansing work here... My kin would also be in trouble, if these monsters had one day found and attacked them. And we could rest with them—we would be cramped, but we would be dry."
Roxana offers to collect up the coins. "If we're going to rest though - and probably a good idea - then I can divide up what we've found so far. Just give me a moment to count it all out." She starts to work on that, though she remarks about the other items. "Should probably see if the locket and ring hold any interest. Though they look to be keepsakes of the man that used to live here. Hmm, and those two pairs of dice."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Then let's divide the rest and keep the items for now" Gaer suggests. "If any of them really have any connection to Rassalantar or some other inhabitant of the Keep, perhaps we'll find out as we continue exploring."
"And as for resting with the Lords from Below..." Darvin comments doubtfully. "What do you think, Spira? And what do you think, comrades? Mival seems confident enough to negotiate with them—but if he's wrong, we risk being at a disadvantage, exhausted as we are by the battles we've already endured."
No one seems particularly apprehensive about the idea of seeking hospitality from the Lords from Below, so Darvin agrees, and the party returns to the upper level. Thanks to Eldath's still-active blessing, they have no problem swimming down the long corridor, finally returning to Geados, who greets everyone with a courteous nod, and then to Tethis, who insists on hearing about their latest adventures before agreeing to let the party pass (since Mival, who could still officially be considered a Lord from Below, is leading them).
Through a side corridor that occasionally requires a few more short swims, Mival reaches a room whose floor has almost entirely collapsed, but which, thanks to a newly constructed 3'-tall small wall that has been erected around the perimeter of the collapse within the room, has a section preserved from the omnipresent flooding. In that still-intact portion of the floor, there is an elegant single canopy bed, at the foot of which is a locked chest. Sitting on the bed, a half-elf with long dark red hairs and a short beard looks up curiously at the many visitors and greets them: "Oh, Blossom! You've been gone so long... I was starting to worry. And you've brought company." His gaze perplexes, scanning the entire motley crew of creatures Mival has brought with him. "Interesting company. And large company. Is there something you should tell me?"
"Indeed, Mekkunod," Mival admits, "I have some news..." and so the Doppelganger hero summarizes the latest events to the Lords from Below ambassador—and the request for 'temporary asylum' to regain strength.
"I trust you, Mival," Mekkunod sighs, without taking his eyes off the others. "You're one of us. I'm sure you didn't come with bad intentions. But what about the others? Can I trust them? No," he stops him with a hand before he can reply. "you do not need to speak, Blossom, I've already read your thoughts that you trust them. But I'm not you, Blossom. And I'm responsible for the safety of all of us Lords from Below."
"Therefore, ladies and gentlemen," the half-elf turns to the characters, "it's to you that I turn the question: for Blosso's sake, I might grant his request, but what about your intentions? Do you really just want to rest and then go away and leave us alone? Without causing any trouble?"
Roxana had divided up the coins they had collected while the group rested. (I'm counting 10 folks total - figure Mival gets a share along with all the others.) It is 1 pp, 10 gp, 3 sp, 6 cp per person. She holds on to any coins left over that can't be evenly divided. "I'll hang on to the extra coins and as we get more we'll divide them up."
"Mekkunod, we certainly will not take any action against you Lords from Below unless your actions call for it," Roxana says. "If you take actions against the nearby town or try to assault any innocents who travel through the area, then we might have to take action. But truly, our purpose here was to explore these passages."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
The half-elf surveys everyone carefully before turning back to Roxana: "It seems like a reasonable basis for an agreement. Yet, some of you are thinking of the cloak of Thetis, our 'receptionist.' Which is curious, as it seems to imply that someone—either she herself or Blossom—has told you about it. You're not toying with the idea of using this opportunity to try to steal it from us, are you? Good receptionists are hard to replace, you know..."
"Well, I must ask you Mekkunod, who does the cloak belong to? It seems the cloak of Thetis might belong to Thetis," Roxana says as she steals a glance over at Gaer, wondering if this line of thought is wise. "And I've found receptionists that work of their own free will are usually the best. Wouldn't you agree?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
The half-elf becomes thoughtful again: "That's an interesting point. I could argue that the cloak has been conquered and is now the cloak of the Lords from Below, no longer Thetis's. When a country is conquered, to whom does it belong? To the one who conquers it... or to the one who lost it?"
"The free-willed receptionists are better..." he concedes. "But do you have anyone in particular in mind? Because if we returned Thetis's cloak, the next thing you know she'd be swimming a thousand miles away—if she didn't decide to try to attack us with her magical powers first."
"Well... perhaps we don't have an alternative receptionist to offer you, Mekkunod..." Mival interjects. "But we may have also drastically reduced your need for one!" And, piquing the other's interest, the Doppelganger hero explains how the party has done a thorough cleansing of the dungeon's monsters.
"A good point; but losing Thetis is still a considerable sacrifice on my part and the others..." Mekkunod insists. "Is there any other small compensation you could add?"
The two Doppelgangers seem to read each other's minds for a moment, then Mival offers: "The safety of the Lords from Below. That's something you care deeply about. We've already contributed in part by eliminating several dangerous monsters. But rumors are circulating in the hamlet that this dungeon is infested with monsters. We adventurers" it seems the hero naturally included himself in this category "could say we've explored the ruins completely, ridding them of dangers and clearing them of treasures. The dungeon would lose interest for the hamlet—and for future adventurers as well. You could live in peace and undisturbed for decades, at least."
The Lords from Below ambassador now seems very interested and almost trepidly addresses the entire party again: "Could we really make an agreement like this? Are we all in agreement?"
Roxana nods to Mival. "A good plan and certainly one I would endorse. I don't think we can guarantee nobody would come down here, but it's likely to greatly reduce the numbers."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Mekkunod ponders the proposal for a few minutes, then finally agrees: "Deal! We will allow you to rest with us—and when you leave, we will give you Thetis's cloak. And you will do your best to argue that there is nothing of interest left down here. It seems to me that for now you are convinced—but I would like to leave you with a food for thought, to keep you convinced: it is true that if you sent an army against us, we would be unable to withstand a direct confrontation. But it is equally true that we could easily disappear, blend in with the attackers themselves... and then seek our revenge. If, however, we remain allies... it is a victory for both our factions."
Meanwhile, a dark, hairy dwarf and a copper-scaled dragonborn arrive. The two introduce themselves as Numsaari and Droovener, respectively, and lead the party down the corridor to a large room. Access is difficult. Part of the floor (starting from the entrance corridor) has collapsed, allowing one to dive and swim down to the level below. Furthermore, a newly constructed 3'-tall small wall has been erected around the perimeter of the collapse within the room, preventing the rest of the room from flooding. In addition, old furniture (as well as doors) has been partly recycled to build a 5'-tall defensive barrier that runs along the eastern side of the collapse.
The party is large, but the room is large... so by huddling together, our heroes can rest in the dry.
Gaer compliments Roxana and MIval: "I'm glad you managed to get Thetis's release from Mekkunod using diplomacy... We certainly couldn't leave her prisoner here against her will! But a direct confrontation could have been problematic."
While the party is in the midst of the well-deserved rest, Droovener, the copper-scaled dragonborn, in a moment alone with our heroes, suggests: "Look... I don't know how well you know Mekkunod... but if you knew him as well as I do, you'd surely appreciate it if I spoke to him on your behalf. Soon all of us Lords from Below will be returning, to rest... and then, what order will Mekkunod give? To leave you alone... or to exterminate you by attacking you all at once? I, for a modest reward, could convince him to opt for the former rather than the latter."
In the last few minutes, Spira's face has gone through contortions no one present has ever seen it assume before as she tries on the unaccustomed role of stepping back and letting someone else display their virtuosity in negotiating. It is not until Mekkunod finally 'signs off' on the deal that she allows it to relax into a broad smile, and she claps Roxana and Mival on the back in turn with congratulatory heartiness. "Nicely done, both of you! You might just have bright futures ahead of you yet ... as ambassadors." When he (Mekkunod) adds his final 'food for thought', she turns back towards him again and nods. "True. But there's something else worth considering. If either side is dissatisfied with the arrangement after thinking it over some more, it would be a great deal less trouble for us to simply recruit you another receptionist rather than going to all the time and effort of raising an army. ... Also, you mentioned a concern that Thetis would attack you once she has her cloak back in revenge for her captivity. Now that we are in accord, I'd be willing to try and convince her not to do that. And I honestly do think it wouldn't be in anyone's best interests ... including hers. As some of us have had reason to know ..., " her eyes flick over to Dawnborn at this point, then back to herself and relations, "hate and anger like that ... well, it winds up hurting you the most in the end. Just eats you out inside until there's nothing left. BUT ... " She pauses at this point, to impressive effect.
"She is her own person, and she is of age. If she chooses to ... ignore my counsel ... on this point, I can't stop her. And perhaps that might be some food for thought for you to consider. A REASON why free-willed receptionists are the better choice in general. When you conquer a country, you can never relax again -- no matter how strongly it's occupied, there will always be the threat of internal unrest."
===***===
(OOC: During the rest, Spira will talk to the Lords from Below's healer and/or quartermaster (if they have such persons among them) about buying or trading for the supplies that would make up a healer's kit, using her empty pouch to hold them. Must admit I haven't exactly been keeping track of ammo, but if they have crossbow bolts she'll at least restock to the level listed on her character sheet (20) and upstock to 30 if she can. The other thing she'd like to do during the 2 hours of a long rest that isn't devoted to sleep is to talk to the best-informed Lords from Below ... definitely Mekkunod at the least, he seems like quite a sharp cookie ;) ... about what the party's discovered so far concerning Lombulluth and the fact that that entity still has living and active servants in the levels below. "I at least want to warn you that this ancient threat doesn't seem nearly so dead as it was supposed. And whatever we may tell the villagers of Rassalantar for your safety, I don't know if our small group will be able to do enough to ensure that Lombulluth's power is completely cleared away from the lower levels of the Keep. There MIGHT be monsters remaining after we depart in spite of all we can do. But if we and you share our knowledge we'll have the best chances. Do you know anything about the lower levels? Anything at all, no matter how small ... it doesn't have to necessarily relate directly to the being that seems to have taken them over. You never know what tidbit of knowledge will tip the balance between failure and success." (Persuasion 13)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Mekkunod smiles at Spira's offer: "I'll be very grateful. Thetis was a valuable collaborator, even if unwilling—and concluding the experience with a battle wouldn't be nice, regardless of the winner."
And so, when Spira returns later to speak with him, accompanied by Darvin, who wouldn't want to give up his role as her bodyguard, the Ambassador gladly welcomes her.
And it's precisely while Spira is conversing with Mekkunod that Droovener speaks to the rest of the party.
As for the tiefling cleric, the doppelganger leader also thanks her for the information on Lombulluth: "You are truly a valuable informant! Unfortunately, however, I am unable to reciprocate... We Lords from Below have forged alliances with those we have encountered in our immediate vicinity. I could tell you about the dragon wyrmling Nesurentul, who lives just below us. Or about that simulacrum Seyntillua Vaervenor (probably a made-up name). But we haven't felt the need to explore the dungeons. We knew absolutely nothing about this 'Lombulluth' and its living and active servants. It doesn't seem like a faction we can negotiate with anyway—so now I'm doubly happy to establish good relations with you. Perhaps you will eliminate this problematic faction, to our benefit first and foremost, but certainly also to the Hamlet!"
“No one is better than Spira at taking out dangerous s0ns 0f 3itch3s” Darvin mutters proudly, perhaps more to himself than to his interlocutor.
Roxana moves in close to Gaer. "Well, thank you. It's easy to come to a good agreement when the other side is so reasonable," she adds. She leaves the discussion to Spira, and perhaps any others interested.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Gaer is happy to enjoy Roxana's closeness during his rest taking advantage of the rare moment of peace to caress her red hair; and when she chooses to ignore Droovener, he does the same. After all, the tiefling ranger thinks, why would the party have more faith in this Doppelganger than the other? While it's theoretically possible that Mekkunod could betray the party... isn't the same true for Droovener?
Anita, who in turn had not by chance chosen a position near a certain half-orc wizard and had rested his head on his chest, for her part, seems intrigued... but more by Rash's possible reaction, to whom her brown eyes readily flick, than by the dragonborn's arguments.
Droovener's expression darkens, as his words seem to be ignored, and he coldly declares: "Fine! You made your choice" and simply finds a corner where he can rest as well.
Various other humanoids come and go from time to time - all Lords from Below in one of their favourite forms, probably.
Some of them look at the guests with curiosity but they whisper among themselves and don't disturb the rest.
[[ OOC: Long rest completed! Just giving Spira time to continue her talk with Mekkunod, if she likes, before advancing the narration ]]