Erik Soong's Call of the Netherdeep

Prolix is stunned. “I just produced, on the spot, information that maybe 10 of the top 20 most authoritative archaeological experts know in the entire world. Useful? Pha!” Prolix crosses his arms.

“You know, on second thought, you don’t remind me of my beagle after all. Gamnor is far too noble and would never be so ungrateful. Anyway, what I told you is deeply useful; you now know which god this was made to acknowledge. You know which god has blessed this item, which is a Vestige of Divergence, in case you didn’t know.

“Yes, Question is spot on. Vestiges are never found by accident and the events that unfold after coming into possession of one are also never happenstance. What you hold will test you in ways you might not be ready for. It will stretch you, carve you out. It will change you and use you up. If you manage to survive whatever the Moon Weaver has planned for you, you may very well wish you hadn’t.”

Prolix considers what he just shared. “The rift to the Abyss might be why you are here, or it might simply be one stop on your greater mission. I can’t imagine how I, a learned man, could possibly discern the difference. Regardless, you are absolutely endangering people of this city by bringing the Vestige here. Absolutely. But how is that any different than their current situation? Every person you have seen since you got here probably will never see old age, even if you never brought that divine relic here. Maybe you being here will change that and maybe that possibility is worth the increased risk you bring with you.” He shrugs, as if he were describing some academic philosophical question.

“I'm not sure how to activate it though. Nothing I ever came across said how it was used or even by whom. Even the most ancient pieces of literature barely mention it and the gods it was blessed by. Sehanine for sure, but I can’t recall who the others are. Humph! Useful…

“What would be useful is if you stopped Aloysia. She is to archaeology what these demons are to friendly neighbors. Don’t be taken in by her lies.”

Randa shot Ylis a look that said, ' Can I kill him now?'

Frekor walks to face Prolix.

-You keep saying that Aloysia must be stoped, but you haven't said why she is dangerous. What is she planning and why would she need that box? We can't do anything if you keep us in the dark. Please, you need to tell us what you know that can help.- asked the ranger, this time giving Prolix the chance to spill everything he know that he could be keeping to himself.

Prolix takes a step back, unsure if Randa is joking or not.

“I have! She is here for something in Betrayer’s Rise! Given its history as a stronghold of a literal Betrayer God, it is barely deduction to say she seeks power. Why, specifically, I can only guess at, but my grudge against her is not personal, but professional. I am of the Allegiance of Allsight. If you doubt my character, then I petition that you ask Question what my organization represents. We seek knowledge, not power. The Consortium of the Vermilion Dream, a genuine cult hells-bent on power, includes Aloysia as a member. They seek knowledge, same as us, but they seek it strictly to attain power. They haven’t any respect for knowledge or discovery; it’s just a means to an end for them.

“I have encountered Aloysia three times, and her cult half a dozen. I’m no warrior, but I have been on many archaeological expeditions... for most of my life, really. If you have at least a passing interest, I can refer to you a number of my publications. I am an Emon best-seller, actually. Short-listed for the de Rolo award heh..." Prolix's mind wanders away momentarily and he gets a small, proud smile on his face. He shakes his head, bringing himself back to the present. "Anyway, I have never encountered people dying in my profession unless she or her people were involved. Archaeology isn’t supposed to be that kind of exciting. I don’t know if she wants this box specifically, I only know that it is a mystery, it prevented a demon from melting upon death, and that might be what she is after. I simply don’t know. I don’t even want the damned thing.”

He shoves it into Frekor’s chest. “Here! You have it. I just don’t want her to get her grimly little hands on it.” After a pause that lasts a few seconds, he adds, “But if anything interesting is in that box, at least let me take some notes on it.”

Quote from Damian_May >>

Randa shot Ylis a look that said, ' Can I kill him now?'

 Ylis looks at Randa then looks at Prolix and rubs her chin as if she was really considering it.

Then she busts out laughing, "You should see the look on your face! Don't worry, if you're with us, we won't kill you."

She wanders over to Frekor and looks at the box, does it appear magical or somesuch?

Arcana Check 10

"You see, this is information even a beagle could understand! Thank you!"

Morgan grabs Prolix by the shoulders and brushes the back of his hand across his cheek. At the same time, he casts Minor Illusion, creating the sound of enthusiastic licking on his face.

Sky speaks for the first time in a bit, asking the most obvious question that occurred to him.

"Mr. Prolix ... you claim that this Aloysia and her cult are dangerous, and that she wants this item, and that you yourself are not a warrior, and claim that she is responsible for the death of other archaeologists.  If all of those things are true ... why were you a moment ago so hellbent upon acquiring an item that is sought after by a person you cannot defend against?"

Sky scratches his chin.  "Did you feel a ... magical, or otherwise supernatural, compulsion to get your hands on this powerful item? Something external, not from your personality?"

Jacaranda shrugged at Ylis, " I guess we could at the very least go and ask this woman for her version of events and then remove her from the equation if she does turn out to be evil.......after our other business is concluded of course."

"Thanks for the information. Now what's in the box?" 

OOC:

(sorry, I had to do it)

Prolix relaxes slightly when Ylis ribs him and while the box itself is not magical, what it contains is. This box seems to have a highly intricate locking mechanism, but is otherwise mundane.

When Morgan appears to lick Prolix’s face, he reaches up and touches the completely dry cheek with a stunned expression. “G-Gamnor, my boy…” he utters with a longing expression.

As Sky speaks up, Prolix is shaken from his momentary reverie. With a wag of his head, he collects himself. “Well, as I said, I don’t know that Aloysia wants this specific box. It seemed like something she might be after though, as the demon didn’t liquefy upon death as it should have. I have been searching for something remarkable in the hope that I would get it before her, this is true, but if it did come to protecting my life…” He opens his arms wide, twisting left and right and gesturing to several Aurora Watch patrols, moving up and down the streets. “I wouldn’t try to fight her, I would hope that the Aurora Watch would enforce the law, which I would think includes stopping attempted robbery, assault, and possibly murder.”

Prolix considers Sky’s question. “The box, no. It seemed like its magic might be unique only because of what it did to preserve the body of that vrock. But the item you showed me did seem powerful. I don’t have a nose for magic necessarily; I can do some minor castings to defend myself if needed, as a precaution, but I have never had need for them so far in my life. I rely on my studies to determine magical artifacts. I will say though, that what I did sense was obviously powerful enough to overcome my magical inadequacy, as even a magical clod like me could sense it.”

Prolix gasps at Randa’s suggestion. “Surely, you wouldn’t… I mean, evil must be stopped but,” he loosens his collar nervously. “Murder?” Sweat immediately starts to bead at his forehead and the blood drains from his face.

"That's a whole lot of words for NOT telling us what's in the box!" 

"Ah whatever, keep your damn secrets, we have things to do." Ylis begins to walk out glaring at the tiefling.

Prolix seems confused. "But... I told you I don't know." He chases after Ylis. "You will um... 'stop' Aloysia then?" He asks, looking around to see that no one is too close to hear. 

"She didn't do anything except give me stink eye. The others might want to talk to her but we got business elsewhere."

Sewers, or a supposed filthy woman...Ylis's ears droop. The sewers are definitely a priority.

Prolix slows, then stops. He looks to the others for any kind of reassurance. 

Morgan puts a hand on Prolix's shoulder. He winks.
"Don't worry. We have a plan. First we save the town, then we save the world."

His expression grows a little more serious.
"In a way, we're like you, Prolix. We like to do our own research. But we hear you. We'll speak with the lady, and if she's as dangerous as you think, we'll stop her."

He raises a hand, gives a small wave, and follows Ylis.

Randa looked faux-shocked at Prolix, " I mean I said 'remove from the equation'......your the one who leapt straight to murder."

" Just saying...."

Prolix pulls out a handkerchief and dabs his forehead, the cremation ash mixing with the sweat to make a kind of paste that refuses to come free from his forehead. "Yes, well, good luck then."

With nothing else to do at the moment, Prolix takes an alternate route that appears to be back in the direction of the Ready Room. 

DM: You have the box and you have your wits. What do you do?

OOC: It is early in the day I vote for the sewers.

OOC: works for me!